Health Officials Sound Alarm as Rare Fungal STD Spreads in Minnesota

Minnesota health officials are tracking a growing cluster of an unusual fungal skin infection that spreads through close physical contact and, in some cases, sexual activity. According to Fox News , the illness is…

Andrew PowellFeb 18, 20263 min read

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State investigators created an enhanced surveillance system after patients began identifying others with similar symptoms.

“This suggests it is spreading in networks and thus can cause outbreaks,” the Minnesota Department of Health said.

Health experts say the fungus can pass through direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, as well as through contaminated items like shared towels or communal shower surfaces.

Todd Wills, MD, of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, described TMVII as 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 said.

Diagnosis is often based on how the rash looks and whether it fails to respond to standard over-the-counter creams.

“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. He added that lab testing may involve a skin scraping, though treatment often begins before results return.

Doctors say TMVII cases in Minnesota appear different not because of the fungus itself but because of how it is spreading.

“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,” Andrews said.

While common Fungal infections often clear with topical treatments, this strain frequently requires oral antifungal medication for several weeks.

“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,” Andrews said. “Fortunately, our current antifungal medications appear to work against TMVII.”

Health officials are urging people with symptoms to avoid close contact, stop sharing personal items and wash linens on high heat.

Anyone who develops a persistent rash is advised to seek medical care, and providers are being asked to report suspected cases for testing.