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Several men diagnosed with rare infection after frequenting the same gay bathhouse

Health officials are tracking an outbreak of dermatophilosis, also called "mud fever," across Europe. The infection has primarily affected gay and bisexual men since December 2025. Experts are investigating if this animal-borne condition is now spreading between humans.

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What changed

The case count has risen to approximately 100 since December 2025.

Live updates

  1. Europe reports nearly 100 cases of dermatophilosis in gay and bisexual men

    Health officials are tracking an outbreak of dermatophilosis, also called "mud fever," across Europe. The infection has primarily affected gay and bisexual men since December 2025. Experts are investigating if this animal-borne condition is now spreading between humans.

    What's confirmed:

    • About one hundred cases of dermatophilosis have been recorded in Europe since December 2025.
    • The infection mainly affects gay and bisexual men.
    • Doctors in France and Spain are investigating clusters of the disease.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The zoonotic condition may have evolved to be transmissible between humans.
    confidence 90%

  2. Rare skin infection linked to gay saunas in France and Spain

    Health officials are investigating an outbreak of dermatophilosis among men in Europe. The infection is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. Cases are linked to gay saunas in France and Spain.

    What's confirmed:

    • Dermatophilosis is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis.
    • The infection is typically found in animals.
    • Cases have been reported in France and Spain.
    • The outbreak is linked to gay saunas.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Dozens of skin infections occurred in early 2026.
    • This is the first confirmed case of human-to-human transmission of the bacterium.
    confidence 90%

  3. Rare Skin Infection Linked to Gay Saunas in France and Spain

    Medical professionals have identified clusters of dermatophilosis among men who have sex with men in France and Spain. The infection is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis and is typically a zoonosis. Investigators are probing the suspected human-to-human sexual transmission of the disease.

    What's confirmed:

    • Dermatophilosis is a rare skin infection caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis.
    • Clusters of the infection have been reported among men having sex with men in France and Spain.
    • A cluster of cases was detected in Lyon, France, between December 2025 and March 2026.
    • The disease is typically a zoonosis.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • A gay sauna in Lyon is the center of an emerging new STI.
    • Several men in Barcelona have been diagnosed with the infection.
    • Human-to-human sexual transmission of the virus had not been seen until now.
    • Sexual encounters in gay saunas in Lyon may have been responsible for the transmission.
    confidence 80%