Cases of the new HFM illness, also known as “tomato flu,” have been reported in Kerala and Odisha. According to the Lancet Respiratory Journal, 82 children have been infected with the tomato flu, which was first discovered in Kerala’s Kollam on May 6. These children are under the age of five.

“A new virus known as tomato flu, or tomato fever, has emerged in India’s state of Kerala in children under the age of five,” according to the Lancet. “Right now, we’re dealing with the possibility of the fourth wave of Covid-19.”

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The red, painful blisters that form on a patient’s body and then grow in size until they resemble tomatoes are what gave the condition the nickname “tomato flu.”

The symptoms are similar to chikungunya and include a high fever, body aches, joint swelling, and exhaustion. Furthermore, some people have reported body aches, fever, dehydration, swollen joints, and nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

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Tomato flu, like other types of influenza, is highly contagious. As a result, careful isolation of confirmed or suspected cases, as well as other precautionary measures, are required to prevent the spread of the tomato flu virus from Kerala to other parts of India.

Isolation should be practised for 5-7 days after the onset of symptoms to prevent the spread of infection to other children or adults.

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According to the Lancet, three more places in Kerala are affected: Anchal, Aryankavu, and Neduvathur. It was also stated that as a result of the emergence of this illness, a warning was issued in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

“The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar also revealed that the illness afflicted 26 children (aged 1 to 9 years) in the state of Odisha. Aside from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, no other parts of India have yet been affected by the virus “according to the Lancet paper.

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It is a self-limiting condition for which no specific medication is available, according to medical professionals. In a statement to the journal, they also stated that the virus is “highly infectious.”

Children are more likely to be exposed to tomato flu because viral infections are common in children this age and spread is most likely through close contact. Touching dirty surfaces, using diapers, and putting objects directly in their mouths are all ways for young children to contract this virus.

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Given the similarity to hand, foot, and mouth disease, the spread of tomato flu to adults could have serious consequences if the outbreak in children is not contained and stopped.