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

Tennessee is experiencing a rise in cyclosporiasis cases, a parasitic illness causing explosive diarrhea. The CDC reports 145 cases across 17 U.S. states, with 20 hospitalizations, and Tennessee's annual cases have nearly 10-fold since 2016. Cyclosporiasis is transmitted through contaminated food or water and is treatable with medication.