New ‘Ringworm’ Outbreak Turns Minnesota Into America’s STD Fungus Hotspot
A reminder that the cold isn’t always the worst thing you can catch in February.
There are plenty of good reasons to stay out of Minnesota in February….ice, snow, anti-ICE protests, Somali fraudsters, and the occasional moose taking up an entire highway lane.
But this year, locals have added one more to the list: a fungal infection known as TMVII, currently turning the Twin Cities into ground zero for the nation’s largest known outbreak of a sexually transmitted skin fungus. Health officials are calling this sexually transmitted ringworm infection “serious but treatable.”
Minnesota is in the midst of what state health officials call the nation’s “largest known outbreak” of TMVII, a sexually transmitted fungal skin infection that can cause severe ringworm.
TMVII, or trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, is the only known fungal-based sexually transmitted disease, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, and it’s treatable with oral antifungals.
The first case was reported in New York City in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with Minnesota’s first reported case in July 2025, when a patient sought treatment for a genital rash.
Another reason to stay away from Minnesota. There is an outbreak of Sexually Transmitted Ringworm. Originating in South Asia. Gross. pic.twitter.com/NioYCGmRBs
— Eric CIAramella’s Dirty Whistle (@TheAndersPaul) February 13, 2026
The infection is transmissible via skin-to-skin contact while experiencing symptoms or in the presence of a suggestive rash. Therefore, longtime Legal Insurrection readers who have been following my reports on infectious diseases will not be surprised by what population is most at risk of infection.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control describes the infection as “an emerging fungus” that was originally “described in travelers returning from Thailand after sexual contact with sex workers.” It’s since been documented in China and in Europe, and is primarily associated with men who have sex with men.
Those who are infected are urged to avoid sexual contact, sharing personal items or clothing — and to wash and dry their clothing on high heat, which can kill the spores that may be in the fabric. The Minnesota health department advises that the rash — which is round and sometimes covered with pimples or bumps — can be mistaken for other skin conditions, such as eczema, or psoriasis.
Minnesota health officials warn of sexually transmitted fungal infection outbreak
State health officials have identified 13 confirmed and 27 suspected cases of Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, a fungal skin infection that causes severe ringworm.https://t.co/0SYWuswMa3 pic.twitter.com/OLEUrzzA43
— CIDRAP (@CIDRAP) February 12, 2026
Fungal infections can be challenging to treat. Infection with TMVII usually requires a course of antifungal agents over several weeks.
MDH advised clinicians to confirm dermatophyte infection with potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy when available, obtain skin scrapings or biopsies for fungal culture, and send isolates for genotyping to identify TMVII, with the MDH Public Health Laboratory available for confirmatory testing.
Clinicians should begin to treat patients with oral terbinafine 250 mg daily for suspected TMVII without waiting for confirmatory testing and continue therapy until two weeks after symptom resolution, with typical courses lasting six to eight weeks and up to 12 weeks in some cases.
Topical antifungals may be adjunctive for small lesions, and topical corticosteroids should be avoided because they can worsen TMVII, MDH said.
TMVII is probably not the next pandemic, despite the media drama. The fungus is treatable, and public health officials appear to be moving quickly to contain it before it spreads beyond current clusters.
Still, the outbreak underscores a truly many are keen to ignore, “life will find a way”. Fungi are adapting, and human behavior and global travel are helping them find new niches. Coverage that minimizes the nature of how this fungus is spread does nobody any favors.
So, while Minnesota’s residents are no strangers to icy roads and winter hazards, this year’s hottest health story is a reminder that the cold isn’t always the worst thing you can catch in February.
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Comments
Any veterinarian will tell you that a case of ringworm means your dog has mange.
Right now in Minnesota it means your ANTIFA sex partner has mange
Sex partner with mange is only outdone by a sex partner with a severe case of TDS.
Can’t have one without the other
Minnesota is fast becoming the laughing stock of the country what with all the idiocy Minnesotans waged against ICE, the two clown politicians, Waltz and Frye, the corrupt Somali community and a bunch of their local politicians. I am deeply disappointed in Minnesotans. Not a word from regular Minnesotans speaking out about all these issues. Their silence speaks volumes! Maybe it’s time to give Minnesota to Canada as they are acting like Canadians instead of Americans.
Cn you blame the ordinary Minnesotan. If they speak out, see how fast Antifa and Anti-Ice shows up at their door.
Or, their church.
But, real men stand up. Sooner or later. Sheep don’t.
“Minnesota? But… we’ll always have California.”
Two clown politicians? You forgot Ellison and Frau Klobucher
Another reason to avoid MN. Per the article, this fungus can be transmitted on the clothing of an infected person. Lets say that infected person sits at a restaurant or bar and you are the next person to sit on that chair. Will it then transfer to your clothes and then to your body. I guess this might also be true for seating In buses, trains, planes, taxis, park benches, church seating., etc. Are we looking at a pandemic of infected butts?
About all those issues, sorry.
*a former Minnesotan
The state should address TDS before STD.
TDS appears to be incurable and lethal
I admit to be more than passing cynical, but . . .
1) Is the outbreak of Somali origin?
2) If such is shown or alleged, will the Leftists running Minnesota take to the streets to try to prevent the US Department of Health and Human Services from trying to limit the outbreak’s spread?
Subotai Bahadur
All Somalis should be deported, there is no place for people that dumb.
Yes there is – Minnesota.
“1) Is the outbreak of Somali origin?”
This article is two days late because they had to find a white guy for the lead photo.
STD Fungus Hotspot?
Put some ICE on it!
“Another reason to stay away from Minnesota.”
I’d say it’s more of a reason to avoid promiscuous sex, but I suppose in this day and age, that’s just too much to expect.
Anyone growing up on or near livestock is familiar with ringworm. I’m not talking about the proximity to Livestock that Seattle men travel to Enumclaw to engage in either. (fun fact I grew up across the river from this now infamous town.)
Ringworm is pretty common in spring from my memory- when it warms up and barnyards are at their muckiest and not there’s not yet enough sun to kill bad microscopic things.
The traditional kind is easy to kill- and the hardest part is shelling out the copay for a Dr prescription for the ointment.
The fact that there’s this other strain classified as an STD is flat out gross. That seems like it could only be 3rd world hygiene, which when combined with sex is double yuck.
Karen’s, antifa, communists and ring worm. Is there any difference between them? All these parasites attach themselves to a normal host and infect it.
Ringworm is not a parasite, it’s a fungus.
Same thing: disgusting in humans.
Minnesota: “the only known fungal-based sexually transmitted disease”
You’ve heard of “Rule 34?”
Rule 34a says that no matter how obscure an STD is, some proggy will manage to become patient zero for an epidemic of it.
Years ago my wife and son and I all caught really bad cases of ringworm from our long-haired cat, who had apparently lain down in some funky compost outside, gotten it all over her fur, and brought it into our house. Of course the cat was completely asymptomatic, since the fungus couldn’t penetrate her super-thick fur to get to her skin. We, on the other hand, itched like heck for a few months, until the prescription anti-fungal pill we were on got rid of it.
So whatever thrills the randy Minnesotans expect to find in Thailand — aside from the food, beaches and wonderful ruins, of course — they’re probably not worth the months of annoyance they’ll experience back home from this very itchy and highly contagious fungal condition.
I’ll bet Fauci stashed a lethal version somewhere…
Name one good thing about Minnesota that’s not Lake Superior (it froze).
I suspect it’s the filthy Somalian population that has started this. Much like the measles because of the illegal populations.
Well, let’s be honest here. This is an STD. Specifically, a male-to-male STD. It’s just not one of those categories of grief where Somalians really shine compared to anybody else.
If people in MN would just wear masks, this problem would be solved.