Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum  Symptoms of Histoplasmosis | Histoplasmosis | CDC. Humans and animals encounter Histoplasma spores through soil or bird droppings (mainly starlings, blackbirds and bats). Most contract the infection through inhalation of the spores especially in areas where starlings and blackbirds roost (barns, trees) and bats (caves). Histoplasma are more common in the central and eastern United States. There are mainly two forms, in the meningitis form symptoms range from fever, vomiting, headaches and confusion and in the pneumonia-like form symptoms are typically coughing. The pneumonia form can be misdiagnosed and become severe, if proper treatment is delayed.  The symptoms will appear 3-17 days after exposure. Diagnosis is made through x-ray and testing either blood or urine. Many people are exposed and never show symptoms and those who have mild to moderate symptoms, the infection will resolve on its own. People who have a more serious form will need to be treated with anti-fungal medication and treatment can range from 3 months to 1 year, depending on severity of the infection and the person’s immune status. Occasionally a long-term complication of histoplasmosis is ocular histoplasmosis. This can affect vision and possibly lead to blindness.

Histoplasmosis is rarely seen in most animals, except for cats and dogs Histoplasmosis in Animals - Infectious Diseases - Merck Veterinary Manual. In cats the symptoms vary but can include fever, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, and cutaneous signs such as ulceration of the skin. In dog’s diarrhea, enlarged liver and fluid in the abdomen can be seen. In both dogs and cat’s ocular issues are common and range from inflammation of the optic nerve to retinal detachment. Diagnosis is the same as it is in humans, clinical history and testing of blood or urine. Treatment is with anti-fungal and as in humans, is long-term. 

The Ohio River Valley, which includes Kentucky, histoplasmosis is endemic (always present). There have been two outbreaks of histoplasmosis, both in 1995 in eastern Kentucky Histoplasmosis -- Kentucky, 1995. One outbreak included 19 people who had been exposed to bird droppings during the demolition of a building. The other outbreak included 13 employees working in a building where the attic was being repaired which contained bird and bat guano. Two of those individuals were hospitalized. 

Prevention is difficult especially in Kentucky where Histoplasma spores are so common. Try to avoid areas where there are large areas of bird droppings, call in professionals to clean these areas up.