A rare viral disease called Tomato flu has infected more than 80 infant kids below the age of 5 years in the state of Kerala. As per media reports, 82 instances of ‘Tomato Flu’ more commonly known as ‘Tomato Fever’ have been recorded in the state so far.
Is Another Flu underway?
At a time when the state of Kerala is already fighting a deadly spread of the Covid-19 virus, another pernicious flu has racked the state. The virus has been detected after several cases of food poisoning were reported across the state. In addition to the 80 cases reported across the state so far, according to medical reports the cases are supposed to drastically climb further in the coming days.
What is Tomato Flu?
Tomato flu is an unidentified fever that has been detected in Kerela, mostly among children below the age of 5 years. It’s a viral infection wherein the victims, usually kids experience fever which is usually accompanied by skin irritation, dehydration, and rashes. The infection causes punitive blisters on several parts of the patient’s body which are usually red. At present, the virus has only been reported in parts of the Kollam district. However, warnings have already been issued by health officials that if preventive measures are not taken, the disease might rapidly spread to other parts of the state as well. There are debates on whether the infection is a variant of viral fever or an aftereffect of dengue or chikungunya.
Directions issued by the Health Department
In the wake of the cases in Kerela five districts on the Kerala-Karnataka border namely Mangaluru, Udupi, Kodagu, Chamarajnagar, and Mysuru have been instructed to keep a hawk’s eye on the daily travelers between the 2 states and be on the lookout for any children who showcase symptoms of Tomato Flu. One of the main symptoms of the disease is the occurrence of tomato-sized blisters on the body of the affected individual.
Directions to provide immediate information to the State Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the Health Department have also been released. Health Officers of districts across the state have been directed to ensure surveillance by the Commissioner of Health.
Karnataka’s Health Minister Dr. K Sudhkar has consoled netizens by stating that there is no need to panic. “Although some of the symptoms are similar to Covid-19, the flu has nothing to do with Covid”, said the minister.
Published by : Harsh Bhimani
