Histoplasmosis spike in Costa Rica linked to spelunking
This week, the U.S. Embassy in San José, Costa Rica issued an alert for US citizens due to a recent spike in histoplasmosis linked to caving activities in Costa Rica.
The Costa Rica Ministry of Health (MOH) reports learning of 12 cases of histoplasmosis in U.S. citizens who visited the Venado Caves in December 2024, located in the San Carlos area.
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus which is primarily found in soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings.
Histoplasmosis can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated. Symptoms resemble the flu and may include fever, cough, fatigue, chills, headache, chest pain, and body aches.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially within a few days of visiting cave attractions, seek medical attention immediately.
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In response to the report on the cases, the MOH took a series of actions to address the situation, including:
The Regional Directorate in San Carlos was asked to conduct an investigation, issue recommendations, and submit a report on the incident. During the inspection, Ministry of Health officials issued instructions to the owners of the property where the Venado Cave is located, including requesting informed consent regarding the risks associated with visiting these areas.
The preliminary and final reports were presented to the monitoring officers in all regions to advance the issue, and a recommendation was made to visit existing caves in other regions.
A review of data was conducted at San Carlos Hospital and the National Hospital, and there were no reports of histoplasmosis outbreaks in the country.
The Ministry of Health reminds visitors to these sites that they must wear a brand-new, clean, and well-maintained N95 or kN95 mask. Even in this cave, there is a section of the route where these masks can get wet, so it's always necessary to have another one with you to change them.
It is important for the public to understand that these types of risks are similar in all caves around the world, as histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum and is found in parts of North, Central, and South America.