Never heard of this one
Health officials report 14 confirmed cases and 27 suspected cases in Minnesota
Minnesota health officials are warning of an outbreak of a contagious fungal skin infection.
The condition is triggered by Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), the same fungal species that causes ringworm.
The primary symptom is round, red, irritated rashes that spread across the body, which can be 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," Dr. Hayden Andrews, an infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
"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," he went on. "These usually manifest as round, itchy spots that may have a rough appearance and could be mistaken as eczema."
The first case of TMVII in Minnesota was confirmed in July 2025, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Since then, an additional 13 cases have been confirmed and another 27 are suspected in the area.
The first U.S. case was identified in New York in 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed cases in multiple U.S. cities.
"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," MDH said in a statement.
TMVII spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with the fungus, including sexual activity, according to the alert.
Fungal spores can also spread via contaminated objects and surfaces, such as sharing towels at the gym or walking around barefoot in communal bathing facilities.
Todd Wills, MD, 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," he told Fox News Digital.
Those with a history of sexually transmitted infections are also at higher risk.
www.foxnews.com
Health officials report 14 confirmed cases and 27 suspected cases in Minnesota
Minnesota health officials are warning of an outbreak of a contagious fungal skin infection.
The condition is triggered by Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), the same fungal species that causes ringworm.
The primary symptom is round, red, irritated rashes that spread across the body, which can be 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," Dr. Hayden Andrews, an infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
"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," he went on. "These usually manifest as round, itchy spots that may have a rough appearance and could be mistaken as eczema."
The first case of TMVII in Minnesota was confirmed in July 2025, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Since then, an additional 13 cases have been confirmed and another 27 are suspected in the area.
The first U.S. case was identified in New York in 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed cases in multiple U.S. cities.
"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," MDH said in a statement.
TMVII spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with the fungus, including sexual activity, according to the alert.
Fungal spores can also spread via contaminated objects and surfaces, such as sharing towels at the gym or walking around barefoot in communal bathing facilities.
Todd Wills, MD, 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," he told Fox News Digital.
Those with a history of sexually transmitted infections are also at higher risk.
State confirms outbreak of sexually transmitted fungal infection, experts urge caution
The fungal skin infection TMVII is spreading in Minnesota through direct contact. Health experts advise medical care for round, red rashes that can be painful or itchy.
www.foxnews.com
