West Australians have been warned to thoroughly wash pawpaw following several cases of food poisoning, including one in which a person required hospital treatment.

The WA Department of Health issued a statement on Tuesday saying seven cases of salmonella poisoning linked to the tropical fruit had been uncovered over the past six weeks.

WA environmental health director Jim Dodds said people should consult their doctor if they had eaten pawpaw and were suffering symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or fever and headaches.

Mr Dodds said the department had launched an investigation into the poisoning.

"Wash all pawpaws with running tap water immediately before eating, this includes pawpaw that has been cut prior to purchasing," Mr Dodds said.

"After cutting pawpaw at home thoroughly wash hands, cutting boards and knives."



Source: news.smh.com.au