Brunei has advised its citizens not to consume 21 brands of Australian cheese after an outbreak of listeriosis Down Under.
A Brunei Ministry of Health statement said there had been 18 reported cases of listeriosis that resulted in two deaths and a miscarriage in Australia, according to a report in the Brunei Times.
Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The outbreak in Australia began in November last year, with brie and camembert cheese sold under the brand names of Jindi and Wattle Valley implicated as the source of the bacteria, according to Food Safety News.
Symptoms of listeriosis include high fever, headache and vomiting. Those with a low immune system, such as babies and the elderly, are most at risk.
Expectant mothers are advised to avoid consuming soft cheeses during pregnancy because listeriosis in a pregnant woman can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn baby and possible death.
The brands of cheese under scrutiny in Brunei are Aida Valley, Blue Cow, Coles Finest, Dynasty, Emporium, Enterprize, G&K, Harris Farm, International, Jindi, Jindi Reserve, Kenilworth, Kingaroy, Old Telegraph Road, Raw Materials, Siena, Tomewin Farm, Tomme Farm, Top Paddock, Wattle Valley and Willow Grove.