Sexually transmitted skin fungus outbreaks in the US

In an announcement on February 11, the Minnesota state health agency confirmed more than 30 cases of infection or suspected infection in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, along with a few scattered cases in other major US cities, according to US media. The disease is most common among men who have sex with men. The first case was discovered in July 2025, when a patient went to the doctor due to the appearance of rashes on the genitals. USA Today reported.

According to the state health agency and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexually transmitted skin fungus is also known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (abbreviated TMVII). In fact, the disease is not caused by a parasite but a fungus that attacks the surface of the skin.

Typical symptoms include fungal skin conditions on the hands, buttocks, genitals and legs. The wound often appears as a “circular, coin-shaped rash that is red and irritating, sometimes with papules or pustules on top.” CDC says cases of TMVII can easily be confused with non-communicable skin diseases such as psoriasis or other sexually transmitted diseases. Delays in treatment allow pathogens to continue to spread and can lead to dangerous complications such as permanent scarring or secondary bacterial infections.

As a precaution, health authorities advise people to absolutely avoid sexual intercourse or direct skin-to-skin contact when having symptoms or suspected rashes. In addition, do not share clothes or personal items; Clothes need to be washed and dried at high temperatures to kill fungal spores. “Partners of patients infected with TMVII should be notified and tested immediately if they have symptoms,” the CDC announcement stated.

Medical experts first issued warnings about this rare and highly infectious fungal strain after the first US case was recorded in New York in June 2024. According to a report published in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology, the patient is a male, about 30 years old, with skin fungus on the genitals, buttocks, and limbs after having homosexual sex during a trip to California and countries such as England and Greece. After returning, this person developed red rashes that caused itching in the groin and genital areas. Further in-depth tests later confirmed the presence of this rare fungal strain.