Health Update: Health Update: Sexually transmitted ringworm in Minnesota becomes ‘largest known outbreak’ – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
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South Carolina reported a surge to 933 measles cases on Feb. 10, state health data showed, including 13 additional infections in the last week.
The “largest known outbreak” of sexually transmitted ringworm in the United States is happening in Minnesota, according to local health officials.
In an advisory posted Feb. 11, the Minnesota Department of Health said more than 30 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in the state’s metro area since its first case was confirmed in July 2025 in a patient who sought care for a genital rash.
Sexually transmitted ringworm, known as trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, or TMVII, is not a worm, but a sexually transmitted fungus that infects the skin, the health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain.
“TMVII infections might be confused with noninfectious conditions (e.g., psoriasis) and other sexually transmitted infections, and delayed treatment might result in scarring or secondary bacterial infection and continued spread,” the CDC added.
To prevent TMVII infection, the health department advises people avoid sexual or skin-to-skin contact while experiencing symptoms or in the presence of a suggestive rash, avoid using shared clothing and personal items and wash and dry clothes on high heat to kill fungal spores.
“Sexual partners of patients with TMVII should be informed and evaluated if symptomatic,” the department’s advisory added.
Medical experts first warned about the rare, highly contagious fungal strain after it was reported the first time in the U.S. in New York in June 2024.
The first case involved a man in his 30s from New York City who developed ringworm on his genitals, buttocks and limbs after he reported having sex with men during a trip to California and trips overseas to England and Greece, according to a JAMA Dermatology report published at the time.
When the man returned home, according to the case study, he developed an itchy red, rash on areas including his groin, genitals and buttocks, and tests confirmed he had contracted the rare fungus.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY