Parasite-induced ‘explosive’ diarrhea cases rise in Tennessee. Here’s what to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The U.S. is seeing an increase in cases of a parasite that can cause “explosive bowel movements” — and Tennessee is among the areas being impacted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice on Wednesday that the parasite-induced illness, known as Cyclosporiasis, has been found in 17 states so far this year. As of June 16, there have been 145 cases, 20 of which have so far resulted in hospitalizations.

“These people became sick after eating food in the United States and did not report any travel during the 14 days before they got sick,” the CDC said.

The ages of those impacted have ranged from 5 to 86.

As of June 16, there are an additional 45 cases of people acquiring cyclosporiasis while they were traveling outside of the U.S. Of those, three were hospitalized.

Among both categories — those who acquired in and out of the U.S. — more than half of reported cases were women.

Where are cases of cyclosporiasis?

Of the 17 states impacted so far this year, New York has been the most impacted. Illinois and Texas follow with the number of cases reported.

Other states include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

What is cyclosporiasis?

The CDC explains that cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

How do you get cyclosporiasis?

The intestinal illness is acquired by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with feces and has the parasite in it.

The CDC says that while cyclosporiasis usually isn’t life-threatening, it typically “causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”

If left untreated, the illness can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month, with symptoms occurring intermittently.

The illness is common in the spring and summer months.

What do you do if you have cyclosporiasis?

If you think you may have cyclosporiasis, the CDC urges to contact your health care provider. It can be treated with several medications.

“Most people with healthy immune systems will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment. However, if not treated, you may be sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer,” the CDC says. “…People in poor health or those who are immunocompromised may be at a higher risk for severe or long illness.”

Cyclosporiasis cases in Tennessee

The current number of cases in Tennessee has not been confirmed by the CDC or the Tennessee Department of Health.

However, cases in the state are not uncommon and the number of annual cases has been rising, on average, since 2016.

There were six reported cases of cyclosporiasis in the state in 2016. By 2020, that number increased nearly 10-fold.

The last year of reported cases available on the Tennessee Department of Health’s database was 2023, when the annual count was 71.