Tomato Flu cases are on the rise in India. Over 4 states have reported 100 cases, 82 of which are children. What is Tomato Flu? How does it spread? What are the symptoms? Is it lethal? Palki Sharma explains all you need to know.

Gravitas | Tomato Flu Outbreak: All you need to know

While the Covid-19 pandemic is still plaguing the world, a new virus known as tomato flu or tomato fever is spreading in India.

The new virus, which was discovered in children in the state of Kerala in southern India in May, has now spread to two more states.

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, a medical journal, reported that as of July 26, 2022, more than 82 children under the age of five had been diagnosed with the infection in the Kollam district of Kerala, which is where the tomato flu was first discovered on May 6, 2022.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-very-contagious-tomato-flu-that-was-first-detected-in-india-508714">Also read | All you need to know about the 'very contagious' tomato flu first detected in India?</a>

Although the virus typically affects children under the age of five, cases of this dangerous disease have now been reported in the neighbouring state&nbsp;of Tamil Nadu and Odisha in the east, where children as young as nine have been infected.

Researchers are still working to pinpoint the nature of this virus.&nbsp;It is extremely contagious and has been dubbed "tomato flu" due to the painful red blisters it causes on the body.

Because it spreads quickly through close contact, such as through nappy use, touching dirty surfaces, or putting things in mouth, children are especially vulnerable.

Symptoms

Although the symptoms of the tomato flu virus resemble those of COVID-19 (both are initially accompanied by fever, exhaustion, and body aches, and some COVID-19 patients also report skin rashes), the virus is unrelated to SARS-CoV-2. Tomato flu may not actually be a viral infection in children, but rather a complication of dengue or chikungunya fever.

Along with a fever, exhaustion, and body aches, other symptoms include rashes that cause skin irritation. Along with other viral infections, dengue shares common influenza-like symptoms that are similar to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of the joints, and body aches.

(With inputs from agencies)

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While the Covid-19 pandemic is still plaguing the world, a new virus known as tomato flu or tomato fever is spreading in India. The new virus, which was discovered in children in the state of Kerala in southern India in May, has now spread to two more states.

While the Covid-19 pandemic is still plaguing the world, a new virus known as tomato flu or tomato fever is spreading in India. The new virus, which was discovered in children in the state of Kerala in southern India in May, has now spread to two more states. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, a medical journal, reported that as of July 26, 2022, more than 82 children under the age of five had been diagnosed with the infection in the Kollam district of Kerala, which is where the tomato flu was first discovered on May 6, 2022. Also read | All you need to know about the 'very contagious' tomato flu first detected in India? Although the virus typically affects children under the age of five, cases of this dangerous disease have now been reported in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and Odisha in the east, where children as young as nine have been infected. Researchers are still working to pinpoint the nature of this virus. It is extremely contagious and has been dubbed "tomato flu" due to the painful red blisters it causes on the body. Because it spreads quickly through close contact, such as through nappy use, touching dirty surfaces, or putting things in mouth, children are especially vulnerable. Symptoms Although the symptoms of the tomato flu virus resemble those of COVID-19 (both are initially accompanied by fever, exhaustion, and body aches, and some COVID-19 patients also report skin rashes), the virus is unrelated to SARS-CoV-2. Tomato flu may not actually be a viral infection in children, but rather a complication of dengue or chikungunya fever. Along with a fever, exhaustion, and body aches, other symptoms include rashes that cause skin irritation. Along with other viral infections, dengue shares common influenza-like symptoms that are similar to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of the joints, and body aches. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Two more states in India now affected by tomato flu outbreak 

Amid fears of coronavirus (COVID-19) and monkeypox, reports of tomato flu caused panic. Tomato flu (or tomato fever) has emerged in the southern state of Kerala in India among children younger than five years.

Amid fears of coronavirus (COVID-19) and monkeypox, reports of tomato flu caused panic. Tomato flu (or tomato fever) has emerged in the southern state of Kerala in India among children younger than five years. In the latest development, India's health ministry issued an advisory on tomato flu, which is also known as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). The advisory has been issued to the states after more than 100 cases were reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Haryana. ALSO READ | Two more states in India now affected by the tomato flu outbreak A recent study by the Lancet Respiratory Medicine Journal stated that the "tomato flu" was first identified in India on May 6 and has so far infected children under the age of five. This viral illness has led to an alert in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar reported that additionally 26 children (aged 1-9 years) have been reported as having the disease in Odisha. Health Ministry's advisory The health ministry advisory noted: "The name Tomato Flu comes from the main symptom of this disease, i.e, tomato-shaped blisters on several body parts. The blisters start as red-coloured small blisters and resemble tomatoes when they enlarge." "Primary symptoms observed in children with Tomato Flu are similar to those of other viral infections, which include fever, rashes and pain in joints. Rashes on skin can also lead to skin irritation," it added. ALSO READ | Smoking, alcohol, high BMI: Study reveals risk factors responsible for almost half of cancer deaths What are the symptoms of tomato flu? Symptoms of this disease include mild fever, loss of appetite, malaise and often a sore throat. These are the symptoms experienced in the beginning. The report mentioned that one or two days after the fever begins, small red spots appear which change to blisters and then to ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, inside of the cheeks, palms and soles. Tomato flu is a self-limiting infectious disease as the signs and symptoms resolve after a few days, the ministry said. It also mentioned that the disease appears to be a clinical variant of the so-called HFMD that is common in school-going children. The ministry said: "Infants and young children are also prone to this infection through use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces as well as putting things directly into the mouth. HFMD occurs mainly in children under 10 years of age, but it can occur in adults too." ALSO READ | Scientists develop microrobots that surround a cancer cell and kill it What is the treatment for tomato flu? The health ministry's statement said that the best way to prevent this disease is by maintaining proper hygiene and sanitisation of the surrounding environment as well as preventing the infected child from sharing toys, clothes, food, or other items with other non-infected children. Is tomato flu life-threatening? The Lancet study mentioned that the rare viral infection is in an "endemic state" and is considered non-life-threatening. But, it added that there's a need to prevent further outbreaks because of the dreadful experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian government issues advisory for tomato flu: All you need to know about symptoms and treatment