About a dozen students nationwide who spent their spring break in Acapulco, Mexico, have sought medical attention for symptoms of what could be histoplasmosis, an acute respiratory illness. The Centers for Disease Control is working in conjunction with the Mexico Ministry of Health to pinpoint the source and confirm the illness. Histoplasmosis primarily affects the lungs and is caused by breathing soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings.
Bacteria grow in the soil and become airborne when disturbed, possibly by construction.
He added that while other diseases could be causing the illness, histoplasmosis is the most likely candidate. According to CDC, all the affected students either stayed at or visited the Calinda Beach Hotel sometime during March. Golden said the hotel has been under construction, which could have resulted in the fungus becoming airborne. Hotel officials could not be reached for comment. The students who sought medical attention complained of a high fever, dry cough, headaches and chills.