Minnesota Warns of Contagious Fungal Skin Infection Outbreak

Minnesota health officials have issued an alert about an outbreak of a contagious fungal skin infection that has been spreading in the state. The condition is caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), the same fungal species responsible for common ringworm infections.

The primary symptom is round, red, irritated rashes that spread across the body. These rashes can be both itchy and painful, according to the state’s health alert.

“TMVII is a specific type of fungus that is part of a larger family that causes the usually benign but irksome conditions such as ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot,” explained Dr. Hayden Andrews, an infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “The symptoms are similar to that of the usual cases of ringworm or jock itch and depend on the part of the body that became infected. These usually manifest as round, itchy spots that may have a rough appearance and could be mistaken as eczema.”

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed the first case of TMVII in July 2025. Since then, an additional 13 cases have been confirmed, with another 27 suspected cases in the area. This marks a significant escalation in what appears to be an emerging health concern in the region.

The first U.S. case was identified in New York in 2024, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has since confirmed cases in multiple U.S. cities, indicating the infection’s growing footprint across the country.

“In response to several individuals seeking care and providing information on other individuals that may also have been infected, MDH established an enhanced surveillance system to identify cases in Minnesota,” the department stated.

What makes this outbreak particularly concerning is the infection’s transmission method. TMVII spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with the fungus, including sexual activity. Fungal spores can also spread via contaminated objects and surfaces, such as shared towels at gyms or barefoot walking in communal bathing facilities.

Dr. Todd Wills, professor of internal medicine at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, noted that TMVII is the only identified fungal sexually transmitted disease.

“The populations currently at greatest risk are men who have sex with men and commercial sex workers; however, the infection can be spread from any infected individual,” Dr. Wills said. Those with a history of sexually transmitted infections are also at elevated risk.

Diagnosis typically relies on the appearance of the rash and its poor response to standard over-the-counter antifungal medications. “A confirmed diagnosis may require a sample of the rash via skin scraping, although treatment is often initiated before results of these tests are available,” Dr. Wills added.

What distinguishes the Minnesota outbreak is not the type of infection but its transmission pattern. “The cases in Minnesota, and previously in New York in 2024, were spread by sexual contact and genetically found to be TMVII. This suggests it is spreading in networks and thus can cause outbreaks,” Dr. Andrews explained.

Health experts warn that the lesions can be more widespread and serious in immunocompromised individuals. If left untreated, some rashes may lead to scarring or worsening infections.

“While routine cases of ringworm or athlete’s foot typically resolve with antifungal creams in a few days, we are finding that TMVII often requires antifungal pills, sometimes for several weeks for complete resolution,” Dr. Andrews said. “Fortunately, our current antifungal medications appear to work against TMVII.”

To prevent further spread, health professionals recommend that people with symptoms avoid close, skin-to-skin contact and refrain from sharing personal items like towels and linens. “Similarly, all linens and towels in the household should be thoroughly washed on high heat and bathing areas sanitized,” advised Dr. Andrews.

Minnesota health officials strongly urge anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical care, and healthcare providers are being asked to report any suspected cases for laboratory testing to better track and contain the outbreak.