Amid the scare of COVID-19 and monkeypox, there is another viral infection affecting young children in the country – tomato flu. The disease which is mostly affecting children aged 1-10 is seeing a rise in the country.
The world’s largest independent medical journal, The Lancet, has raised an alarm about the emergence of yet another flu in India. As per the weekly peer-reviewed journal, tomato flu has afflicted 82 children under the age of five in government hospitals across the country. It first emerged in Kerala on May 6 but later spread to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Taking to Twitter, the Health Minister disclosed that tomato flu affected children below five years, and was so far, endemic in parts of Kerala. He further stated that District Health Officers (DHOs) bordering Kerala had been advised to strictly monitor the situation on the ground and report new developments.
Tomato flu is unrelated to Covid-19. Affects children below 5 yrs; Symptoms include large red blisters. No need to panic, as it is endemic to parts of Kerala.
DHO’s bordering Kerala have been advised to strictly monitor the situation and report any untoward developments.
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) May 11, 2022
“Just as we are dealing with the probable emergence of fourth wave of COVID-19, a new virus known as tomato flu, or tomato fever, has emerged in India in the state of Kerala in children younger than 5 years,” the Lancet Journal wrote on its website.
Tomato Flu or tomato fever is an uncommon viral disease with symptoms that are comparable to Covid-19 and blisters that resembles with monkeypox virus. Tomato flu produces red rashes, skin irritation, and dehydration. The disease derives its name from the tomato-shaped blisters it causes.
“Tomato flu gained its name on the basis of the eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato. These blisters resemble those seen with the monkeypox virus in young individuals,” the Lancet Journal added.
The Gateway Pundit pointed out:
Although the symptoms of the tomato flu virus are comparable to those of COVID-19 (both are linked with fever, exhaustion, and body aches initially, and some patients with COVID-19 also report rashes on the skin), the virus is not connected to SARS-CoV-2 according to the experts.
The actual cause of the disease is still unknown.
The experts are speculating about the new disease, claiming that it could be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever, or it could be a new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease.
“Tomato flu could be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children rather than a viral infection,” Lancet Journal stated.
“The virus could also be a new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common infectious disease targeting mostly children aged 1–5 years and immunocompromised adults, and some case studies have even shown hand, foot, and mouth disease in immunocompetent adults.”
According to ‘Sri Sri Holistic Hospital’, below are the primary Tomato flu virus symptoms:
- Tomato-like red blisters
- Rashes
- High fever
- Swelling in the joints
- Body ache
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Some other symptoms include:
- Discoloration of hands, knees, and buttocks
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
The Lancet Journal reported:
“Children are at increased risk of exposure to tomato flu as viral infections are common in this age group and spread is likely to be through close contact.”
The tomato flu is a self-limiting condition, and there is currently no medication that can be used to treat it, according to Lancet Journal.
“Drug repurposing and vaccination are the most efficacious and cost-effective approaches to ensure the safety of public health from viral infections, especially in children, older people, immunocompromised people, and those with underlying health issues. As yet, no antiviral drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment or prevention of tomato flu. Further follow-up and monitoring for serious outcomes and sequelae is needed to better understand the need for potential treatments.”
“Similar to other types of influenza, tomato flu is very contagious. Hence, it is mandatory to follow careful isolation of confirmed or suspected cases and other precautionary steps to prevent the outbreak of the tomato flu virus from Kerala to other parts of India.
“Isolation should be followed for 5–7 days from symptom onset to prevent the spread of infection to other children or adults. The best solution for prevention is the maintenance of proper hygiene and sanitisation of the surrounding necessities and environment as well as preventing the infected child from sharing toys, clothes, food, or other items with other non-infected children,” according to the experts.
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, Lancet Journal, Sri Sri Holistic Hospital, Lancet