A family returned from a vacation in Costa Rica with more than just memory after contractinghistoplasmosis , a potentially deadly lung infection because of inhale fungal spores found inbatdroppings . The incident has been subject toan investigation by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC)with aesculapian practitioner now linking the infections to a group trip-up to the Venado Caves .
The CDC was first send word of the infections on January 17 , 2025 , after six adults aged 42 to 49 and six tike maturate 8 to 16 were name with histoplasmosis . The patients had fallen ominous in the US but all 12 had lately returned from a family vacation in Costa Rica and had occupy part in a tour of caves linked to an earlier outbreak involving 51 masses . accord tothe CDC , “ All reported seeing bat and get direct liaison with bat muck while crawl and mash through tight spaces in the cave . ” The only family unit extremity not to have contract histoplasmosis did not take part on that tour .
The patients became ill 8 to 19 days after picture on December 24 , 2025 , experiencing headaches , fever , night sweats , brawniness aches and uneasiness as well as various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptom . One grownup and five children sought medical attention . Of those , three were given antibiotics , two corticosteroids and one a cough appetite suppressant . The investigation also reveals one grownup was hospitalized after psychometric test results indicated possible mark oflung cancer .
The good news is that all patients indicate signs of recovery or improvement one month after exposure . However , in the worst - type scenario , histoplasmosis can be living - threatening . According tothe CDC , a severe case of histoplasmosis can trip symptoms ofpneumoniaand lead to a long - condition lung transmission . Although uncommon , it can also spread from the lungs to other parts of the trunk , such as the brain and spinal cord , causingmeningitis . Those with a soften resistant system are particularly at hazard of developing ramification .
The CDC launched the investigating “ to place and characterize ” the case , with support from the Georgia Department of Public Health , Texas Department of State Health Services and Washington State Department of Health . The news report ’s authors accent the importance of asking patient about any recent travel , stating , “ no change of location history was elicited during [ the family ’s ] examen . ”
In sparkle of the findings , the CDC has been function alongside the US Embassy in Costa Rica as well as the Costa Rica Ministry of Health to convey care to the risk of sign histoplasmosis in caving tour waive forms . In March , a health alarum was issued , alert extremity of the world to the jeopardy .
Histoplasma , the fungus creditworthy for histoplasmosis , is found in soil and can be propagate through the droppings of bird and bat . It is rife in certain parts of the US , specifically in thecentral and eastern statesand particularly aroundthe Mississippi and Ohio River valleys . Not everyone peril to the fungus will get sick but it is call back thataround 60 to 90 percentliving in that region will be exposed at least once in their life-time .
