Cases of cyclosporiasis, which spreads through contaminated food, have been on the rise in multiple states since May.

A drug used to treat the parasite behind a growing number of “explosive” diarrhea outbreaks comes with an ironic warning.

Cyclospora, the parasite that infects raw produce and water contaminated with human feces, is causing illness across 18 states so far. Here's what we know and how you can protect yourself. The outbreak has been confirmed in 18 states so far.

Explosive diarrhea parasite cyclosporiasis is causing possible outbreaks in half of US states. See a map of the rising rates from NBC News and the CDC.

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A parasite that causes people to have explosive diarrhea has sickened more than 20 people across Kansas as cases climb nationally. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reports on its website that 22 people have contracted cyclosporiasis from April to July this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there have been as many as 30 Texas cases of the cyclospora parasite since May 1.

If there was one word you wouldn’t want to hear in front of the word “diarrhea,” it’d be “explosive.” Unfortunately, it’s a combination that some Americans are personally experiencing right now, thanks to ongoing outbreaks of a parasitic foodborne disease called cyclosporiasis.