Tomato flu — so referred to as as a result of painful crimson blisters it produces — has up to now been detected in additional than 100 kids throughout three states for the reason that first case was reported on Might 6.
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The emergence of a uncommon, new viral an infection afflicting younger kids has prompted well being authorities in India to situation a well being advisory after greater than 100 circumstances have been found within the nation.
Tomato flu — so referred to as as a result of painful crimson blisters it produces — has up to now been detected in 82 kids aged below 5 within the state of Kerala, the place the primary case was detected on Might 6.
A further 26 circumstances have since been reported in neighboring Tamil Nadu state and Odisha within the east, the place kids as outdated as 9 have been contaminated.
India’s well being ministry has mentioned that the virus is non-life-threatening however issued testing and prevention pointers to all states this week, urging dad and mom to be additional vigilant in checking their kids for signs, the Instances of India reported.
What’s tomato flu?
Tomato flu is a extremely contagious viral an infection, which spreads through shut contact significantly amongst younger kids aged below 5.
Signs embody fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swelling of joints, physique aches, and customary influenza-like signs, in addition to the eponymous tomato-like blisters.
Scientists are nonetheless attempting to establish the route explanation for the virus. Nonetheless, they are saying “it isn’t associated to SARS-CoV-2 [Covid-19],” regardless of displaying some comparable signs, based on an article revealed final week in British medical journal The Lancet.
Extra seemingly is that the virus is an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever, two viral ailments transmitted by mosquitos.
Alternatively, it could possibly be a brand new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth illness, a standard infectious illness focusing on principally kids aged one to 5 years and immunocompromised adults.
Who are you able to catch it and the way?
Youngsters are at elevated danger of publicity to tomato flu as viral infections are widespread on this age group and unfold is prone to be by means of shut contact.
They’re additionally at significantly excessive danger by means of their use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces, in addition to placing issues instantly into the mouth.
Nonetheless, older adults could possibly be put in danger if the outbreak isn’t managed and transmission restricted.
“Given the similarities handy, foot, and mouth illness, if the outbreak of tomato flu in kids isn’t managed and prevented, transmission would possibly result in severe penalties by spreading in adults as nicely,” the Lancet article mentioned.
Tomato flu is a self-limiting sickness, which means it tends to resolve spontaneously with out remedy.
Nonetheless, well being officers have urged individuals to take precautionary measures to stop the unfold of the outbreak, together with isolating suspected circumstances for 5 to seven days following the onset of signs.
“One of the best answer for prevention is the upkeep of correct hygiene and sanitization of the encircling requirements and setting in addition to stopping the contaminated baby from sharing toys, garments, meals, or different gadgets with different non-infected kids,” the Lancet article mentioned.