What happened to a family of 12 who visited Costa Rica caves?
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that often spreads when people breathe in spores from soil or bird droppings. A specific incident involved a large group of travelers who visited a cave system in Costa Rica. All twelve members of the family became sick after this trip.
What the research says
A report details a cluster of suspected histoplasmosis cases affecting 12 members of an extended family who had all visited the Venado Caves in Costa Rica 3. The connection between their illness and the cave visit was identified by health officials reviewing the cases 3.
This event is distinct from other fungal infections tracked in the United States, such as coccidioidomycosis and blastomycosis, which are monitored in separate surveillance reports 12. The Costa Rica incident highlights how travel to specific locations with fungal spores can lead to infection in multiple people at once 3.
What to ask your doctor
- Did my travel history to caves or areas with bird droppings increase my risk of fungal infection?
- What symptoms should I watch for if I think I might have histoplasmosis?
- Is testing available to confirm a fungal infection after returning from a trip?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Primary Care & Family Medicine and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.