Hawai’i health officials confirm 2 new cases of cyclosporiasis - KHON2

What the report says

KHON2 reported that Hawaiʻi health officials have confirmed two additional cases of cyclosporiasis in state residents. According to the report, both residents contracted the parasitic illness while traveling outside the country. The new confirmations raise Hawaiʻi’s total number of cyclosporiasis cases for 2026 to three.

The report identifies the cases as travel-associated, meaning the infections were linked to exposure abroad rather than confirmed local transmission in Hawaiʻi. The specific countries visited, the patients’ conditions, and any possible shared source of exposure were not included in the available article text.

For context, cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. Public health agencies generally associate it with consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, and symptoms can include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Cases in the United States are often monitored closely because outbreaks can involve imported fresh produce or travel-related exposure.

The development matters because even a small number of confirmed cases can prompt health officials to watch for patterns, especially if patients recently traveled or consumed similar foods. Based on the information available from KHON2, Hawaiʻi officials have confirmed the year’s third case count, but no broader outbreak, local source or additional public health action was described in the supplied material.