One person has died and at least six others have been taken to hospital with listeria during a surge in food poisoning cases in the weeks before Christmas.
The tragedy is one of seven cases of listeria reported in the last three weeks, although none are believed to be linked.
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All of the other patients have since left hospital and are recovering.
The Department of Health issued an alert to all Victorian doctors on Wednesday afternoon to be on the lookout for high-risk patients with symptoms of listeria.
"Listeriosis is a potentially serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes," Victoria's acting chief health officer Dr Finn Romanes said.
"Be alert for listeriosis in high-risk patients over the summer months. The disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Most people contract listeriosis after eating contaminated food."
He advised doctors and other health professionals to "educate at-risk patients" about safe food-handling and which foods to avoid.
The department was unable to reveal further details about the patient's death.
The seven recent cases are among 25 that have been reported in Victoria so far this year. In 2015, there were 22 cases of listeria in the state.
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the incidents were a timely reminder for pregnant women, and other at-risk people, in the days leading up to Christmas.
"Food-borne illnesses typically increase during the summer months, when bacteria can multiply quickly. With a recent rise in listeriosis notifications it's particularly important pregnant women take extra precautions this Christmas," Ms Hennessy said.
"Pregnant women should remain vigilant and avoid eating salads prepared well in advance of consumption, cold seafood and cold deli meats, soft cheeses, soft-serve ice cream, dips and any unpasteurised dairy products."
Listeria symptoms usually occur around three weeks after eating contaminated food, but the interval can vary between a few days and two months.
Early symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, aches and pains, but can lead to more serious problems including meningitis and septicaemia.
Those particularly vulnerable to the infection include the elderly, pregnant women and their fetuses, newborn babies, and people whose immune systems may be weakened by illnesses like cancer, liver or kidney disease and diabetes.
Listeria is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food, but transmission can also occur in the womb. During pregnancy it typically presents as a mild flu-like illness.
Some pregnant women may have no symptoms, but infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labour, and sepsis or meningitis.
Healthy adults are usually not affected but may experience mild to moderate flu-like symptoms and self-limiting gastroenteritis.
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