More than 250 people across six states have been infected with a new mysterious stomach bug, with some even being hospitalized, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC has released a new update on the stomach bug this week, explaining that it is called the cyclospora infection, and has been spreading alarmingly.

The stomach bug has been linked to foodborne illness and causes diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms, but can make people dangerously dehydrated, especially in hot weather.

So far the infection has been detected in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Georgia and Connecticut. In addition, Illinois and Kansas have reported detected a single case each – those cases are believed to have originated from outside those states, but inside the United States and not overseas.

Ten people are known to have been hospitalized with the infection since mid-June, although that number could increase as the bug spreads.

The CDC has explained that the cyclospora infection is usually found in tropical or subtropical countries, but spreads to people if they ingest food or water contaminated with feces containing the bug.

The announcement earlier this week confirmed that those infected by the stomach bug had increased quickly to more than 250 people, and that number could increase further in the coming days and weeks.