Tomato flu outbreak in India

A new viral infection known as tomato flu was first detected in children in the southern Indian state of Kerala in May and has since spread to two other states. As of 26 July, 82 children under the age of five have been diagnosed with the virus, according to Lancet Respiratory Medicine. In the states of Tamil Nadu and Odisha, cases have recently been reported in children as old as nine, even though the virus usually affects those under five.

The virus is referred to as the tomato flu because it produces painful red blisters on the body and is highly contagious. Children are said to be particularly vulnerable as it spreads easily through close contact, such as touching unclean surfaces or putting things in mouths. Scientists are still working to determine what exactly this virus is.

It is difficult to diagnose the virus, according to doctors, as the symptoms are similar to those of Covid, chikungunya, and dengue fever - the latter two are common during the rainy season in India and are spread by mosquitoes. The outbreak of tomato flu comes as India experiences a steady increase in Covid cases and swine flu over the past few weeks.

“The rare viral infection is in an endemic state and is considered non-life-threatening; however, because of the dreadful experience of Covid-19 pandemic, vigilant management is desirable to prevent further outbreaks,” said Lancet Respiratory Medicine in an article.


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