A severe stomach bug is ringing the alarms in Northwest Georgia.

Cases spotted in Rome, Georgia spurred the Dade County Emergency Management to issue an alert.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. People living or traveling in countries where cyclosporiasis is endemic may be at increased risk for infection.

It can cause diarrhea and in extreme cases can send you to the hospital.

We spoke to Logan Boss with Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District.

"This is an infection that can last for months," says Boss.

But what remains unclear is why this outbreak is happening in North Georgia, and the exact source.

"We haven't conclusively identified the specific vehicle, the type of produce, or the source of the contamination," says Boss.

So we dug closer to home to see if the stomach bug is hitting Eastern Tennessee.

The Hamilton County Health Department told us “Hamilton County has no reported cases of cyclosporiasis at this time.”

They told us the stomach bug has previously been linked to imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, and cilantro.

If you have had diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, or other gastrointestinal symptoms lasting longer than several days, public health officials urge you to talk to your healthcare provider.

The illness can be especially dangerous for those with immune compromised conditions.

The Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District is continuing in their investigation of the stomach bug.