My friend called me the other day and asked me what the “new fungus STD was?” So I decided to write about it here.
When most people hear “ringworm” or “jock itch,” they think of a minor, itchy rash and a tube of antifungal cream. Not a CDC report. Not weeks or months of oral medication. And certainly not sexual transmission.
But that is exactly what public health officials are now documenting in the United States, as an emerging fungal strain is now being identified here.
The First Reported Cases in the US
Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) is an emerging dermatophyte fungus that can cause a rash on the genitals, groin, buttocks, face, trunk, or extremities and can spread through close skin to skin contact, including sexual contact.
The first documented U.S. case was reported in New York in June 2024. In a later CDC “Notes from the Field” report, four additional TMVII infections were diagnosed in New York City during April to July 2024.
In those four NYC cases, all patients were cisgender men aged 30 to 39 who reported recent sexual contact with other men. Lesions occurred on the buttocks, genitals, face, groin, trunk, or extremities. Clinicians noted TMVII can be mistaken for eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions, which can delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
What Makes TMVII Different
TMVII belongs to the same broad family of fungi that cause everyday ringworm and jock itch, but it can behave differently from the familiar versions most clinicians expect.
What stands out:
**The rash may not look like classic “neat circles” and can mimic other skin conditions.
**Some cases require oral antifungal therapy and might need prolonged treatment until lesions fully resolve.
Identification of TMVII requires fungal culture and DNA sequencing, which can take time and is not always routinely available.
The CDC report noted that the isolates from the four NYC patients appeared susceptible to terbinafine and itraconazole based on laboratory testing. Treatment in those cases was successful, but some patients can require longer courses.
Detected in Minnesota in 2025
New York has the first documented case. Health officials in Minnesota say their state’s first case was confirmed in July 2025 in a Twin Cities resident who sought care for a genital rash. Since then, Minnesota has identified 13 confirmed cases and 27 suspected cases, all within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Because TMVII is not a nationally reportable infection and can be misdiagnosed, it is not clear whether Minnesota represents the largest outbreak in the country or simply the best documented cluster to date. Minnesota’s health department established enhanced surveillance after clinicians proactively alerted the health department and requested confirmatory testing.
How it Spreads
TMVII spreads through close skin to skin contact, including sexual contact. Health officials also warn that fungal material can spread through contaminated items and shared surfaces, such as clothing, towels, sex toys and bedding.
What Health Officials are Advising
Health officials are advising people who develop new rashes consistent with TMVII to seek prompt evaluation and treatment.
They also recommend:
**Informing sexual partners
**Avoiding skin to skin contact, including sex, until symptoms resolve
**Avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, razors, sex toys and bedding
Although TMVII is treatable with oral antifungals, some patients may require up to three months of treatment. Delayed treatment can allow rashes to become more painful and persistent and may increase the risk of scarring or secondary bacterial infection.
A Related but Separate Concern
TMVII is not the only emerging dermatophyte drawing public health attention. Another species, Trichophyton indotineae, has been associated with large outbreaks of difficult-to-treat fungal skin infections, particularly in South Asia, and has now been reported in the United States.
Unlike TMVII, T. indotineae is notable for its frequent resistance to terbinafine, a commonly used antifungal medication. Some patients require alternative or prolonged treatment, which can be more challenging to manage.
These are distinct fungi with different treatment profiles, but together they illustrate a broader public health pattern: fungal skin infections are evolving, and resistance and atypical presentations can complicate diagnosis and care.
My Public Health Takeaways
***This remains rare. TMVII infections are uncommon, and overall risk to the public is low.
***Awareness matters. Some fungal infections no longer look or behave the way many might expect.
***Surveillance is limited. TMVII is not nationally reportable, so early detection depends on impacted persons going to a clinic, recognition, and clinical vigiliance.
***Treatment differs by species. While TMVII has responded to standard antifungals so far (a very good thing), Trichophyton indotineae represents a separate and more treatment-resistant challenge.
***Early evaluation helps. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy can shorten illness and reduce complications.
***I’ve seen a ton of social media posts creating a lot of panic over this, but I don’t believe this is panic-worthy. It’s a reminder that even familiar infections can change, and that paying attention to your body and getting checked out early works best.
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Other gems to check out from the blog:
A man ate a hamburger and died hours later due to a meat allergy caused by a tick bite
How much does obesity increase the risk of severe infectious disease?
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