Cases of 'explosive' diarrhea parasite keep going up in Georgia

Cases of a parasitic gastrointestinal disease that causes "explosive" diarrhea are growing across the United States as health officials are still working to identify a specific source.

Thousands of people are believed to have ingested the parasite in recent weeks, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 843 confirmed cases as of July 9. More than 1,500 cases are still being investigated to confirm if the parasite was the cause.

In Georgia, there have been between 11 and 30 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, up from last week when there were fewer than 10, according to the CDC.

Here's what to know as the outbreak continues.

What is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness that is caused by a living parasite that can be found on food or in water, more commonly in tropical and subtropical areas.

The parasite infects the small intestine, though people may not always develop symptoms. If they do, they will experience watery diarrhea with "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC.

Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month, and they can seem to get better before worsening again. People can become sick anywhere from two days to two weeks after they have been infected by the parasite.

The parasite spreads through feces (poop), when it contaminates food or water. The parasite becomes infectious after passing through the body, making any human-to-human spread very unlikely.

Most people who maintain a healthy immune system may have some uncomfortable days home from work or school, but they are able to pass the parasite on their own and recover easily. Those with poor health, or who are immunocompromised, may need medical intervention if the illness becomes more severe or lasts for a long time.

In Georgia, the reported cases of cyclosporiasis have increased significantly since 2015, but that is likely because of newer testing methods and laboratory practices. It's not uncommon to see spikes in cases during summer months, particularly between June and July in the Peach State.

How is the parasite spreading?

In the past, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been connected to infected fresh produce, including cilantro, basil, leafy greens and raspberries, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The food items were imported from countries where the parasite is typically found.

The parasite, called cyclospora, was also be found in water that has been contaminated by feces. The lifecycle of the parasite includes being expelled from the body through feces to spread to other hosts.

The current outbreak has not been connected to a single source (yet), so health officials recommend washing your hands with soap and water before handling any fresh fruit or vegetables that haven't been washed, and washing fresh produce before eating it or using it in cooking.

Is food tested for cyclospora?

Historically, the CDC's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, or FoodNet, tracked cases of food poisoning, referring to a number of pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal and other symptoms.

The program began in the late '90s and worked with state health departments, the Food and Drug Administration and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service to conduct testing of food products across the country, hopefully catching parasites before they become larger outbreaks.

Last year, however, the program was significantly cut back as part of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's changes to the agency. Required monitoring was cut down from eight pathogens to just two, and the other six pathogens were made optional, including cyclospora. Salmonella and STEC remain the only required pathogens for monitoring.

FoodNet works closely with laboratories in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee and select counties in California and New York.

Michigan is not on the list, but is currently experiencing the highest case numbers of cyclosporiasis.

The monitoring will not prevent an infection from taking place, but it can catch an outbreak in the early days, identifying a cause and preventing many people from ever getting sick.

Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Texas, told TIME Magazine that outbreaks like this may become more common as health officials are forced to work with reduced staff and limited funding.

"Unfortunately with so many budget cuts, every federal agency is hurting for personnel and resources," Yancey told the outlet. "We could be at a greater risk of foodborne infections because the FDA is so understaffed and underfunded right now."

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today's Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cases of 'explosive' diarrhea parasite keep going up in Georgia

Reporting by Irene Wright, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM.