The disease mainly occurs in young children, who often have close group contact. — © Soumyabrata Roy/universal image group
In India, the cause of a disease that has affected more than 100 children is being sought. In the so-called tomato flu or tomato fever, patients can develop red, painful blisters all over the body.
Scientists described ‘tomato flu’ outbreak in children in India in scientific journal The Lancet, but are not yet sure which virus is causing the symptoms. For example, it is unclear whether it concerns a variant of hand, foot and mouth disease (HMZV). That is the most obvious explanation, tweeted virologist Marc Van Ranst yesterday. In western countries, HVMZ in children is caused by the coxsackie A16 virus or the enterovirus 71.
Other assumptions circulating are an after-effect of the tropical diseases chikungunya or dengue fever, or a hitherto unknown virus. Possible symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, nausea and diarrhea.
Not life-threatening
The disease has been reported in multiple states of India so far. After the disease was first detected in the southern state of Kerala in May, 82 children aged 1 to 5 were infected there at the end of July. In the meantime, the disease has been reported in four districts. Later, the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were added.
The disease is not life-threatening, the scientists say, but the experience with the corona pandemic has made people vigilant. The symptoms are similar, but there is no connection between the two. A positive diagnosis is followed by an isolation of five to seven days.
While the disease has not yet been reported in states other than Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the entire country has been put on alert to fight a potential spread of tomato flu. After all, the degree of contagion is very high.
red blisters
The disease owes its name to the red blisters that can form on the body, which according to some websites can grow to the size of a tomato (but mainly have that color) and cause skin irritation. The Lancet points out that such blisters also occur in monkey pox.
Children who show signs of the tomato flu are also tested for other possible related diseases such as dengue, chikunguya, Zika and herpes. Only when all of these are excluded will the diagnosis of ‘tomato flu’ be made. The medical journal attributes the fact that (young) children are particularly affected by the fact that viral infections are common in that age group and that they have more intense group contact than adults. In addition, they often touch impure things and stuff a lot in their mouths.
There are currently no vaccines against the disease. The treatment focuses largely on symptom control with, for example, paracetamol.