Health authorities are monitoring the spread of a rare fungal infection that is transmitted through sexual contact, amid growing concern over outbreaks in Europe and the United States.
The infection, known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), causes a severe form of ringworm-like skin disease and has been described by experts as an emerging public health issue.
Officials in the US state of Minnesota say they are investigating what has been described as the country’s largest known outbreak of TMVII.
More than 30 confirmed or suspected cases have been recorded since mid-2025, according to health authorities.
The fungus was first identified in the United States in 2024 in New York City. Since then, additional cases have been detected in other major urban centres.
Public health officials say the infection spreads primarily through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. It most commonly affects the genitals, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen.
Experts note that TMVII is unusual because, unlike most fungal skin infections, it is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. Most sexually transmitted infections are caused by bacteria or viruses.
TMVII leads to a condition known medically as dermatophytosis. Symptoms can include an itchy, red, scaly rash; painful, inflamed lesions; and circular or ring-shaped patches on the skin. Lesions may appear on the genitals, buttocks, face or thighs.
In some cases, the infection can become severe and persistent, potentially leading to scarring if not treated promptly.
Doctors warn that the rash is sometimes mistaken for eczema or psoriasis, which can delay accurate diagnosis and treatment.
TMVII was first reported in Europe, where cases were documented among men who have sex with men and in travellers returning from Southeast Asia.
Studies conducted in countries including France confirmed that sexual transmission played a key role in spreading the infection among patients.
Health experts say increased international travel and close human contact are likely contributing to the fungus’s global spread.
Authorities are urging clinicians to consider TMVII in patients presenting with persistent or unusual ringworm-like rashes, particularly where there is a history of recent travel or new sexual contacts.
