Minnesota TMVII outbreak: What Paso Robles residents should know about the rare sexually transmitted fungal infection
Minnesota is facing the largest known outbreak of TMVII—Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII—a sexually transmitted fungal skin infection, with more than 30 cases in the Twin Cities since July 2025. This article explains symptoms, transmission, and local guidance.
- TMVII is a skin fungus spreading via intimate skin-to-skin and sexual contact, distinct in recent cases for frequent genital/groin involvement. Source: CBS News.
- Minnesota has logged 13 confirmed and 27 suspected cases since July 2025, more than 30 affected in the Twin Cities; enhanced surveillance and lab testing are underway. Source: Fox News, CBS News.
- Over-the-counter creams often fail; oral antifungal therapy is typically required, and treatment can last weeks to months with full courses needed to avoid relapse. Sources: Fox News, CBS News.
What is TMVII?
TMVII stands for Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, a dermatophyte in the same family as agents that cause ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot. What differs in recent U.S. reports is its pattern of spread through sexual and close skin contact, often presenting on the genitals and groin. (Source: CBS News; Fox News.)
Timeline and scale of the Minnesota outbreak
Minnesota’s first confirmed TMVII case was recorded in July 2025. Since then, public health officials have confirmed 13 cases and identified 27 suspected cases after patients reported similar rashes and potential contact with infected individuals. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) implemented enhanced surveillance and requests fungal isolates be submitted to public health labs for testing. (Sources: Fox News; CIDRAP.)
Isolated TMVII reports have appeared in other U.S. cities since 2024, but because TMVII is not nationally reportable, the national burden is uncertain. Minnesota’s cluster is the largest known to date; surveillance gaps could hide additional cases elsewhere. (Source: CIDRAP.)
TMVII symptoms and treatment
The hallmark is round, red, coin-shaped rashes that can be itchy, painful, and may spread across arms, buttocks, genitals, thighs, trunk, and perianal area. These lesions can mimic eczema, psoriasis, or other dermatoses and may be overlooked initially. If untreated, rashes can expand, scar, or become secondarily infected—especially in immunocompromised people. (Sources: CBS News; CIDRAP.)
Treatment: Clinicians report that over-the-counter topical antifungals often fail for TMVII in this outbreak. Instead, oral antifungal pills are the usual therapy; most cases respond, but courses can run weeks to months. Completing the prescribed regimen is essential to reduce relapse risk. (Sources: Fox News; CBS News.)
“This strain causes the same round, itchy spots as other ringworm infections, but because it spreads through intimate contact it can appear in places we don’t usually expect. They can be mistaken for eczema.” — Dr. Hayden Andrews, UT Southwestern Medical Center. (Quote source: Fox News Digital)
How TMVII spreads and who is at risk
TMVII is transmitted primarily by direct skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual activity. Fungal spores may also transfer via shared clothing, towels, and linens. While past clusters often involved men who have sex with men and some commercial sex workers, anyone with exposure to an infected person can become infected. People with prior sexually transmitted infections or weakened immunity may face higher risk. (Sources: CBS News; Fox News.)
Diagnosis, reporting, and public health response
Clinicians diagnose TMVII by clinical exam and confirm by laboratory testing of skin scrapings or swabs via culture or molecular methods. In Minnesota, the state lab requests providers submit fungal samples from suspected cases for TMVII testing. Because TMVII is not universally reportable, heightened clinical awareness, voluntary reporting, and submission of isolates to public health labs are critical to track spread. (Sources: CIDRAP; Fox News.)
Public health guidance and prevention steps
Health agencies recommend that diagnosed individuals:
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, until treatment is complete and symptoms have cleared.
- Notify recent sexual partners so they can be evaluated and treated if needed.
- Do not share towels, underwear, or clothing; wash linens and towels in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Seek medical care for rashes that persist, are painful, spread, or fail to respond to OTC creams. (Sources: CBS News; Fox News; CIDRAP.)
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Paso Robles currently has no reported TMVII cases, but local clinics, urgent cares, and primary care clinicians should be prepared to:
- Recognize coin-shaped rashes that do not improve with OTC creams and consider fungal sampling for lab testing or referral to county public health labs. (Source: CIDRAP.)
- Emphasize personal responsibility: avoid intimate contact with unexplained rashes, notify partners, and complete prescribed treatment to protect families and local institutions. (Source: CBS News.)
- Protect vulnerable workers in agriculture and hospitality by encouraging hot-water laundry cycles, access to clean laundry facilities, and discouraging sharing of towels and underwear. (Source: Fox News.)
- Balance privacy with clear public health messaging to reduce stigma and encourage timely care-seeking. (Source: CIDRAP.)
What Paso Robles residents can do now
Practical steps: Watch for round, itchy rashes that do not respond to OTC creams; avoid close skin contact until cleared by a clinician; launder shared linens and towels in hot water and high heat drying; and notify sexual partners if you test positive. Health-care, hospitality, and agricultural workers should be especially cautious about shared laundry and close quarters. (Sources: CBS News; Fox News.)
Reporting and surveillance gaps
Because TMVII is not widely reportable, the true U.S. case count is unclear. Minnesota’s enhanced surveillance is a temporary measure to identify cases and obtain laboratory confirmation. Public health experts urge clinicians to report suspected cases and send isolates to public health laboratories to improve national tracking. (Source: CIDRAP.)
Sources and further reading
- Minnesota TMVII outbreak coverage, CBS News
- Fox News: State confirms outbreak, experts urge caution
- CIDRAP (University of Minnesota): Minnesota health officials warn of sexually transmitted fungal infection
- KSTP report on U.S. cases
- ABC3340 coverage
If you have a rash that is spreading, painful, or not improving with over-the-counter creams, seek medical care and follow the steps above to protect yourself and your partners.
