Minnesota health officials are tracking an outbreak of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, or TMVII, a contagious fungal infection that produces ringworm-like rashes. Cases began appearing in mid-2025 and public health teams have set up enhanced surveillance while urging prompt diagnosis, treatment and hygiene steps to curb spread. The infection spreads through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated objects, and some cases linked to sexual transmission have required oral antifungal therapy. Health teams want symptomatic people to seek care quickly and for providers to report suspected infections for testing.
TMVII belongs to the same family that causes classic ringworm, athlete’s foot and jock itch. “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, said.
The typical sign is a round, red patch that can itch and hurt as it spreads across the skin. “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 Minnesota case was confirmed in July 2025 and officials say additional infections have since been identified. “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. Health workers now say 13 cases have been confirmed with several dozen more under investigation.
TMVII spreads through direct skin contact and can move through sexual encounters as well as casual contact with contaminated objects. Fungal spores survive on towels, shared gym gear and in communal bathing areas, which makes communal facilities and shared linens particular risks when someone is infected.
Todd Wills, MD, of the University of South Florida notes the unusual pattern in how this strain has spread. “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 said. That highlights both focused transmission networks and the potential for broader community spread.
Clinically, TMVII can be tricky because it sometimes fails to respond to common over-the-counter treatments. “Diagnosis is often made based on the appearance of the rash and its lack of responsiveness to typical over-the-counter antifungal medications,” Wills said. “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.”
Public health experts emphasize that this outbreak is notable for transmission patterns rather than a wholly new pathogen. “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,” he said. That clustering explains why certain groups have seen higher rates so far.
The infection can have worse outcomes for people with weakened immune systems, and more extensive lesions may leave scars or invite secondary bacterial infection if not treated. “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,” the doctor said. “Fortunately, our current antifungal medications appear to work against TMVII.”
To limit spread, people with symptoms should avoid close skin-to-skin contact and stop sharing personal items like towels and linens until cleared by a clinician. “Similarly, all linens and towels in the household should be thoroughly washed on high heat and bathing areas sanitized,” Andrews added. Anyone who notices suspicious rashes should seek prompt medical care and clinicians are asked to report suspected cases for laboratory confirmation.
