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Outbreak of Sexually Transmitted Fungus Hits Minnesota
More than 30 cases mostly affect men who have sex with men; the fungus spreads via skin contact and can persist on clothing, requiring weeks of treatment, officials say.
- On February 11, the Minnesota Department of Health issued a warning after reporting more than 30 TMVII cases in the Twin Cities, calling it the largest US outbreak.
- Tracing origins shows TMVII is a recently emerged fungus associated with sexual contact, first reported in New York City in 2024 and Minnesota in July 2025, spreading via skin contact and resilient spores.
- Clinicians were advised to begin oral antifungals and collect skin scrapings for fungal culture at the state public health laboratory, as treatment can last up to 12 weeks, CDC and MDH said.
- Health officials say patients face painful, costly treatment and fear reinfection while the outbreak disproportionately affects men who have sex with men; authorities urge avoiding skin-to-skin contact until noncontagious.
- With cases rising, health departments recommend washing clothing on high heat, not sharing personal items, and partnering with community groups to raise awareness among affected communities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Minnesota's Largest Outbreak of Drug-Resistant Ringworm
The Minnesota health department has declared the 'largest known outbreak' of sexually transmitted ringworm that has occurred in the country. Thirty people were infected with the drug-resistant fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII). The first case in Minnesota was reported last summer, but the situation escalated quickly. More than 30 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in the metro area, resulting in the largest kno…
Outbreak of sexually transmitted fungus hits Minnesota
Minnesota health officials have issued a warning on the nation’s “largest known outbreak” of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII — a sexually transmitted fungus that can cause severe ringworm.Officials say more than 30 confirmed or suspected cases of T. mentagrophytes genotype VII, also known as TMVII, have clustered around the Twin Cities metro area.
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