One person has died from listeria, better known as food poisoning, after a rise in the number of cases across Victoria, the Department of Heath and Human Services has confirmed.
A department spokesperson revealed six other people had been hospitalised with the illness in the past three weeks.
He said none of the cases were linked and people of varying ages had been affected.
In 2105, 22 people presented with food poisoning, but authorities said there had been 25 cases so far this year.
The acting chief heath officer Dr Finn Romanes issued an alert warning people of the dangers of listeria.
“The disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems,” the alert said.
“Most people contract listeriosis after eating contaminated food.”
The alert urged people to make sure they prepare and handle food safely and be aware of which foods to avoid.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
