On 11/2, the Minnesota state health agency confirmed over 30 cases or suspected infections in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with additional scattered cases reported in other major US cities, according to US media. The infection is most prevalent among men who have sex with men. The first case was identified in 7/2025 when a patient sought medical attention for a rash on their genitals, USA Today reported.

According to the state health agency and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sexually transmitted fungal infection is known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, or TMVII. This condition is caused by a fungus that attacks the skin's surface, not a parasite.

Symptoms of the TMVII strain resemble common ringworm, typically appearing as scaly, circular patches of skin that cause intense itching. *Photo: CDC*

Typical symptoms include fungal infections on the hands, buttocks, genitals, and feet. Lesions often appear as "coin-shaped, red, and irritating rashes, sometimes with papules or pustules". The CDC noted that TMVII infections are easily mistaken for non-infectious dermatological conditions like psoriasis or other sexually transmitted infections. Delayed treatment allows the pathogen to spread and can lead to dangerous complications such as permanent scarring or secondary bacterial infections.

To prevent transmission, health authorities advise individuals to strictly avoid sexual contact or direct skin-to-skin contact when experiencing symptoms or suspicious rashes. Additionally, people should not share clothing or personal items; clothing should be washed and dried at high temperatures to eliminate fungal spores. The CDC's announcement stated, "Partners of TMVII-infected patients should be informed and tested immediately if they develop symptoms".

Health experts first issued a warning about this rare and highly contagious fungal strain after the initial US case was documented in New York in 6/2024. According to a report published in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology, the patient was a male in his 30s who developed fungal infections on his genitals, buttocks, and limbs after engaging in same-sex sexual activity during a trip that included California, the UK, and Greece. Upon his return, he developed itchy red rashes in the groin and genital areas. Subsequent in-depth tests confirmed the presence of this rare fungal strain.

Binh Minh (According to USA Today, CBS News)