A family of 12, including six adults and six children, returned home from Costa Rica feeling sick after visiting a bat cave, sparking concerns about histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on January 17, 2025, that several members of the family had contracted the condition.
The family, spread across three states – Georgia, Texas, and Washington – visited the Venado Caves in Costa Rica, which was previously linked to a histoplasmosis outbreak in 1998-1999. According to the CDC, Histoplasma organisms are often found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings.
Symptoms of histoplasmosis include headaches, malaise, fever, night sweats, and respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. All 12 family members experienced these symptoms after visiting the cave, with some requiring hospitalization due to abnormal chest radiography.
Fortunately, all family members recovered from their illness within 28 days. The CDC has been working with the US Embassy in Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Ministry of Health to raise awareness about histoplasmosis risks among caving tour participants. A health alert was issued in March 2025 to notify the public of the risk associated with cave tours in the country.
The case highlights the importance of proper precautions when engaging in activities that involve contact with potentially contaminated soil or air.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/vacation-nightmare-12-family-members-diagnosed-fungal-disease-after-exploring-costa-rica-cave