Tomato flu – so-called because of the painful red blisters it produces – has so far been detected in more than 100 children across three states since the first case was reported on Jan. May 6.
Hindustan Times | Hindustan Times | beautiful pictures
The emergence of a new, rare virus infection in young children has prompted health authorities in India to issue health advice after more than 100 cases were detected in the country.
To date, tomato flu – so-called because of the painful red blisters it produces – has so far been detected in 82 children under the age of 5 in the state of Kerala, where the first case was discovered. showing on May 6.
There have been 26 more cases reported in neighboring Tamil Nadu and eastern Odisha states, where children as young as nine have been infected.
India’s health ministry said the virus was not life-threatening but issued testing and prevention guidelines to all states this week, urging parents to be extra vigilant in testing. your child’s symptoms. Times of India reported.
What is tomato flu?
Tomato flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is spread by close contact, especially in young children under 5 years of age.
Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, joint swelling, body aches and common flu-like symptoms, as well as tomato-like blisters of the same name.
Scientists are still trying to determine how the virus spreads. However, they say that “it is not related to SARS-CoV-2”. [Covid-19]”despite showing some similar symptoms, according to an article published last week in British medical journal The Lancet.
The virus is most likely a result of chikungunya or dengue, two viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
Alternatively, it could be a new variant of viral hand, foot and mouth disease, a common infectious disease that targets most children between the ages of one and five and immunocompromised adults.
Who can you catch and how?
Children are more at risk of exposure to tomato flu because of the prevalence of viral infections in this age group and its ability to spread through close contact.
They are also at particularly high risk when using diapers, touching unclean surfaces, and putting objects directly into their mouths.
However, older people can be at risk if outbreaks are not controlled and transmission is limited.
“Given its similarities to hand, foot and mouth disease, if outbreaks of tomato flu in children are not controlled and contained, transmission could lead to serious consequences,” the Lancet article said. important by spreading among adults”.
Tomato flu is a self-limiting illness, which means it tends to go away on its own without treatment.
However, health officials have advised people to take precautions to prevent the spread of the outbreak, including isolating suspected cases for 5 to 7 days after symptoms begin. .
“The best solution for prevention is to maintain proper hygiene and disinfection of essentials and surroundings and to prevent infected children from sharing toys, clothing, food or other items.” different from other uninfected children,” the Lancet article said.
