Friday 19 August 2022 02:55 PM Warning over brand new 'tomato flu' virus detected in India that infects 82 ... trends now
Doctors in India have sounded the alarm over a new virus dubbed 'tomato flu' that has infected dozens of children.
The infection was spotted in May in the southern state of Kerala and it is feared to be a new variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Experts are also probing whether it is the after-effect of a mosquito-borne infection but they have not ruled out an entirely new pathogen.
So far 82 children under five have been diagnosed with tomato fever since May and a further 26 youngsters up to age 10 are suspected cases.
The infection gained its name because it causes an ‘eruption’ of red painful blisters across patients' bodies that 'gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato'.
Most patients also suffer high fever and intense joint pain, but fatigue, sickness and diarrhoea have also been reported.
Doctors say it is 'very contagious' and they fear it could spill into adult populations if the current outbreak is not brought under control.
It comes as the world still reels from the Covid pandemic — and amid a global outbreak of monkeypox.
The virus was first spotted in Kollam, eastern Kerala on May 6 (red), and the last case was on July 26. Infections have been logged in three other parts of Kerala – Anchal, Aryankavu, and Neduvathur. And a further 26 infections have been reported among one to nine-year-olds in north eastern state Odisha (orange)
Doctors in India have sounded the alarm over a new virus dubbed 'tomato flu' that has infected dozens of children. No pictures of the rash caused by the virus have been published but it triggers red painful blisters and rashes across patients' bodies
Writing in scientific journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, medics said: '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.
'Young children are also prone to this infection through use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces, as well as putting things directly into the mouth.
'Given the similarities to hand, foot, and mouth disease, if the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, transmission might lead to serious consequences by spreading in adults as well.'
