A total of 17 listeria cases were confirmed across eastern states, with two deaths each in Victoria and NSW.

Details of the latest death, including age, gender and precise location of the victim, were not revealed.

The listeria outbreak is linked to a rockmelon grower at Nericon, in the NSW Riverina.

The producer agreed to stop distribution after being told about the contamination almost two weeks ago.

But the NSW government and health authorities were accused of taking too long to warn the public after investigations began in January.

Listeria begins with flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea, which can take days or weeks to appear following the consumption of contaminated produce.

 – Australian Associated Press