New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory on ‘Tomato Virus which is also called Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) to states after more than 100 cases of the disease were reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Haryana.Tomato Flu was first detected in Kollam district in Kerala on May 6 and as of July 26, more than 80 children younger than five years of age were afflicted with the disease, according to the reports of local hospitals run by government.
The virus caused an alarm in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.In addition 26 children (aged between 1 and 9 years old) were identified as being affected in Odisha through the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar.
However, aside of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Odisha there is no other state that has reported cases of Tomato Flu at present.
“The Tomato Flu name is the name given to the most prominent manifestation of this illness, i.e, tomato-shaped blisters on various body parts.The blisters appear as red tiny blisters that look like tomatoes when they grow.
The main symptoms seen in children with Tomato Flu are similar to the symptoms of other viral illnesses, such as symptoms of fever, rashes, and discomfort in joints.Skin rashes can cause skin irritation.” the Health Ministry said in the advisory.
It starts with mild fever and the loss of appetite, malaise and, often, sore throat.
A couple of days after fever is first noticed small red spots appear, which transform into blisters , and eventually to ulcers.The sores are typically located on the tongue, gums and the in the inside of the cheeks, the palms, and soles.
The ministry has stated that Tomato Influenza is an infectious disease that self-limits because the symptoms and signs disappear after a few days.
It appears that the condition is a variant clinical of the commonly known HFMD that is prevalent in children who attend school The ministry stated.
“Infants and children in the early years are also susceptible to this infection due to the usage of nappies, or touching dirty surfaces, and placing things directly into mouths.HFMD is most common in children who are less than 10 years old of age, however it can also occur in adults as well,” the ministry said.
According to the Ministry, the most effective method to prevent this infection is to ensure proper hygiene and sanitation of the environment around it and also stopping the child who is infected from sharing toys, clothing food items, or other items with other children who aren’t infected.
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