One person has died in New York City after contracting salmonella linked to fresh Maradol papayas, with dozens more people infected. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urged people to avoid Caribeña brand Maradol papayas, which are green before they ripen and then turn yellow.

"Consumers should not eat Caribeña brand [papayas] regardless of the color. If anyone has these papayas in their home, they should dispose of them immediately," the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.

The papayas are of Mexican origin, according to the FDA.

So far people have been infected in the states of Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia. New York and New Jersey have seen the highest number of cases.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 17 to June 28, with the age range of infected people going from less than 1 year to 95.

The CDC reported 12 people had so far been hospitalized. More people are expected to fall ill as symptoms may not appear for a while after eating infected fruit.

The CDC urged people to check whether they had purchased the Maradol papaya variety, adding restaurants and retailers could check with their supplier.

"When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out," it said.

Countertops as well as drawers or shelves in refrigerators were papayas were stored should be washed and sanitized, it said.

The CDC added it was investigating the matter.

Tropical fruit supplier HLB Specialities said it was "very concerned" about the outbreak and that it was reaching out to its retail and wholesale clients and their food safety departments directly.

It also highlighted papayas sold by HLB were not affected.

"It is important to understand the distinction between the different papaya varieties and countries of origin. As of Friday, July 21, 2017, the outbreak was limited to exclusively one Mexican Maradol Papaya label," it said.

"Tainung papayas from Guatemala, Golden papayas from Brazil, and our organic and conventional Formosa and Maradol papayas from Mexico are not affected and not part of this outbreak."

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