At a glance
During this COCA Call, presenters will share current evidence on the epidemiology of travel-associated histoplasmosis—with a focus on cave-associated outbreaks in travelers visiting Central and South America. They will also discuss best practices for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Overview
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma; a dimorphic fungus found in soil. It also spreads in bird and bat droppings that mix in soil. People may be at increased risk for Histoplasma exposure when engaging in adventure activities such as cave exploration, ecotourism, or other activities that disturb contaminated soil or aerosolize fungal spores. Illness can range from asymptomatic or mild respiratory disease to severe acute pulmonary or disseminated disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Awareness of travel-associated histoplasmosis is essential for clinicians, as symptoms may be nonspecific and delayed, leading to misdiagnosis for bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, malignancy, or other respiratory conditions. Obtaining travel history to facilitate the recognition of exposure history, conducting appropriate diagnostic testing, and administering timely antifungal treatment are all critical to reducing morbidity and preventing severe outcomes.
During this COCA Call, presenters will share current evidence on the epidemiology of travel-associated histoplasmosis—with a focus on cave-associated outbreaks in travelers visiting Central and South America. They will also discuss best practices for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Webinar
Thursday, January 15, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 293 177 498 815 80
Passcode: ub6G8F9i
Presenters
Ria Ghai, PhD
Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer
Mycotic Diseases Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Marie De Perio, MD
CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service
Associate Director for Science
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mitsuru Toda, PhD
Acting Epidemiology Team Lead
Mycotic Diseases Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Call Objectives
COCA Call Objectives
At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to accomplish the following:
- Cite background information on the topic covered during the presentation.
- Identify CDC's role in the topic covered during the presentation.
- Describe the topic's implications for clinicians.
- Identify concerns and issues related to preparedness for and response to urgent public health threats.
- Identify how an interprofessional team of healthcare providers can work with patients to promote disease prevention.
Activity-specific Objectives
- Identify counseling points for travelers engaging in activities that pose a heightened risk for Histoplasma exposure.
- Describe the epidemiology of travel-associated histoplasmosis, including risk factors related to bat-inhabited cave exposure.
- Review various control measures for preventing worker exposure to Histoplasma.
- Outline appropriate diagnostic approaches for patients presenting with community-acquired pneumonia.
- Summarize treatment options and resources for mild, moderate, and severe histoplasmosis.
Continuing Education
To receive continuing education (CE) for WC5003-011526—From Cave to Clinic: Managing Histoplasmosis in Returning Travelers please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using WC5003-011526. Follow the steps below by February 16, 2026. The registration code is COCA011526.
To receive continuing education (CE) for WD5003-011526—From Cave to Clinic: Managing Histoplasmosis in Returning Travelers, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using WD5003-011526. Follow the steps below between February 17, 2026, and February 17, 2028.
- Register for and complete the course.
- Pass the post-assessment at 80%.
- Complete the evaluation.
- Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.
FEES There are no fees for CE.
Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA CME: Credit Designation Statement – Live
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 12/14/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 1 nursing contact hours.
CPE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated this Knowledge-based event for pharmacists to receive 0.1 CEUs in pharmacy education. The Universal Activity Number is JA4008229-0000-26-007-L04-P and enduring JA4008229-0000-26-008-H04-P.
CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program.
CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1. Continuing Competency credits available are 1. CDC provider number 98614.
AAVSB/RACE: This program has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education.
For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a pre-approved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 1 CPH recertification credits for this program.
DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters/moderators must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies over the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.
CDC, our planners, and presenters/moderators wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.
CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.
CDC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex. To learn more visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html.
Target Audience
- Epidemiologists
- Public Health Professionals
- Physicians, Veterinarians
- Veterinary Public Health Professionals
- Nurses, and Other Clinicians.
Additional Information
- Contact Information: coca@cdc.gov
- Support/Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Emergency Risk Communication
- Method of Participation: You may participate in the educational activity by viewing the program information above.