Cases of the new HFM disease, also known as “tomato flu,” have been reported in Kerala and Odisha. 82 children have contracted the tomato flu, which was first identified on May 6 in Kerala’s Kollam. These children are under the age of five.

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Why is it called the tomato flu?

The name “tomato flu” refers to the red, painful swollen blisters on the skin that grow to the size of tomatoes. The disease is accompanied by fever, body aches, and joint pain. Some patients have also complained of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swollen joints, and muscle aches.

The study also claimed that the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar had reported 26 more children (aged 1-9 years) as having the disease in Odisha. Aside from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, no other Indian states have been affected by the virus.

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The disease is typically caused by intestinal viruses and is uncommon in adults because their immune systems are usually strong enough to defend them against the virus. 

The main signs and symptoms of tomato flu in children are high fever, rashes, and excruciating joint pain, which are also characteristics of chikungunya.

These blisters are similar to those seen in children infected with the monkeypox virus. Irritating skin rashes appear alongside tomato flu. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, joint swelling, and body aches are other symptoms of dengue, which are similar to those of other viral illnesses.

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“Just as we are dealing with the probable emergence of fourth wave of Covid-19, a new virus known as tomato flu, or tomato fever, has emerged in India in the state of Kerala in children younger than 5 years,” Lancet Respiratory Journal stated in its report.

Scientists have issued a warning that the disease is highly contagious. There are currently no drugs available to combat the disease.