The Ministry of Public Health has warned against the consumption of sweet melons coming from New Zealand and Australia for potential contamination with the listeria bacteria.

The ministry said in a statement yesterday that it had received a global notification in this regard and a follow-up of the issue, carried out with other entities concerned, revealed that limited quantities of the product were distributed in some outlets on Thursday, March 1.

Accordingly, the product was completely withdrawn from the outlets and the remaining amount was kept on hold in co-operation with the distributor and sales outlets.

In addition, samples were taken for laboratory tests to ensure that the product was safe.

The MoPH has called on those who have bought the product not to consume it and instead return it to the store where they bought it from.

In case the product is eaten, one should look out for symptoms of nausea, fever or gastrointestinal disorder within three to five days of consumption. The health centre concerned should be visited if such symptoms appear.

According to reports, three people have died in Australia after eating melon contaminated with the listeria bacteria. BBC has reported that 15 elderly people have been infected in the outbreak, which is being linked to a melon-grower in the state of New South Wales.

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