CANBERRA - The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Fiji after several tourists were hospitalized with suspected alcohol poisoning.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Sunday night advised travelers to Fiji to be wary of potential methanol poisoning through alcohol.

It comes after seven tourists, including four Australians, were hospitalized after consuming alcohol at a resort bar in Fiji on Saturday night local time.

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DFAT's warning, issued through its Smartraveller service, advised Australians to "be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks."

It urged anyone who suspects drink spiking to seek urgent medical help.

Jason Clare, Australia's education minister, on Monday described the incident in Fiji as horrific.

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"I guess my message for Australians travelling overseas is just be really, really careful with whatever you consume," he told ABC television.

Incidents in Fiji came after six tourists, including two Australian teenagers, died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos in November.