At least 47 people in 12 states have been infected by salmonella, which federal health officials linked to yellow Maradol papayas.
Twelve people in New Jersey, along with 13 in New York, were infected. It has also infected those in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Kentucky.
Health officials said they are still investigating the multistage outbreak of salmonella kiambu infections, which has caused 12 hospitalizations and one death, that occurred in New York City.
An illness cluster has been identified in Maryland, where at least two people who do not live in the same household are infected.
Illness were reported between May 17 and June 28. Those infected are from less than a year old to to 95 years old.
The CDC is urging people not to eat yellow Maradol papayas and restaurants not to serve them. No retailers should sell yellow Maradol papayas until officials learn more about where the contaminated papayas came from.
"When in doubt, don't eat, sell, or serve Maradol papayas," Amesheia Buckner, a spokesperson for the CDC, said. "Instead, just throw them out."
Maradol papayas are large fruits weighing at least three pounds, with green skins that turn yellow when the fruit is ripe. The flesh inside the fruit is salmon-colored.
Those infected with salmonella develop fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps about 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the germ, and most recover without any treatment the CDC said.
However, in some cases, it can be so severe the patient should be hospitalized. Those who are very young, very old or have a compromised immune systems are most at risk for severe cases.
The CDC encourages those who may have come in contact with the germ should contact their healthcare providers.
Roughly 1.2 million cases of salmonella infect people in the U.S. annually, resulting in 450 deaths, according to the CDC.
Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snieto-munoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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