Listeria outbreak: Fourth person dies from listeria linked to rockmelons

A fourth person has died from listeria contracted from eating contaminated rockmelons, Victorian health authorities have confirmed.

The latest death means two people from Victoria and two people from New South Wales have been killed by the outbreak, linked to a farm in northern NSW.

"This latest case has only just been linked to the outbreak as a result of our microbiological testing," Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said.

It is understood the latest victim died more than a week ago however the cause of death was only confirmed on Tuesday.

There are now 17 confirmed cases of listerosis around the country linked to the contaminated rockmelons, with six of those in Victoria.

The Victorian cases include three men and three women, aged between 60 and 90.

Cases have also been reported in Tasmania and Queensland.

Listeria infection starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and sometimes diarrhoea.

All affected melons have been withdrawn from sale and distribution.