KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Knox County Health Department said cyclosporiasis, the parasite linked to “explosive” diarrhea cases across the country, has been reported twice this year: once in May and another in June.
While there have been more than 1,700 cases reported across 31 states and dozens of people hospitalized, Dr. Corinne Tandy with the health department said the number of cases reported so far is consistent with numbers seen year-over-year.
Many have been left wondering how the parasite can be contracted. Tandy said it’s a form of food poisoning that spreads through germs from contaminated feces that are ingested by mouth. She said it can happen through contaminated food and water…