Tomato flu cases spread to Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Odisha — Know more about this contagious disease

• Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Kerala have so far reported cases of tomato flu in India.
• It is seen as a clinical variant of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
• Currently, there are no proper drugs and vaccines available in the market to treat the disease.
• The central government on Tuesday rolled out an advisory on the virus to curb the cases in the country.

As India continues to battle Covid-19, another contagious disease called ‘tomato flu or tomato fever’ is creating havoc in the country. It has now spread to four states — Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Kerala.

A total of 100 cases, in children below the age of 5 years, have been reported so far in the country, according to media reports. The first case of tomato flu was identified in Kerala’s Kollam district on May 6.

Additionally, the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar reported 26 cases of tomato flu in children between the ages of 1-9 years in Odisha. No other state or union territory, besides the four mentioned above, has reported any case of this disease so far.

What is tomato flu?

Caused by enteroviruses, it is seen to be a clinical variant of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The flu gets its name from the tomato-shaped blisters it causes on the body.

The flu causes rashes or blisters, skin irritation and dehydration. Joint swelling, red spots on hands and legs, tiredness, and nausea are also some symptoms of the fever. The blisters resemble those seen in cases of the monkeypox virus in young individuals.

According to a Lancet report, “Children are at increased risk of exposure to tomato flu as viral infections are common in this age group and spread is likely to be through close contact.”

Probable reasons behind the spread among children could be touching unclean surfaces, putting things directly into the mouth, sharing toys, clothes, food and other items with an infected child.

However, it is to be noted that Covid-19 and tomato flu have some common symptoms but are not related to one another. “ Both are associated with fever, fatigue, and body aches initially, and some patients with Covid-19 also report rashes on the skin, (however) the virus is not related to SARS-CoV-2,” Lancet said in its report.

The primary symptoms observed in children with tomato flu are similar to those of chikungunya, which include high fever, rashes and intense pain in the joints.

"It looks like it's a form of hand, foot, mouth disease with additional symptoms of joint pains and high-grade fever. Anyway hand, foot and mouth disease itself is a syndrome which can be caused by different enteroviruses. Symptoms vary with type of virus, age group and immunity status of the patient,” said Dr Dhiren Gupta, senior consultant at Sir Gangaram Hospital.

Is tomato flu virus deadly?

Tomato fever is a self-limiting disease and is considered non-life threatening. Currently, there are no proper drugs and vaccines available in the market to treat the disease.

As tomato flu is similar to chikungunya, dengue, and hand, foot, and mouth disease, the treatment is also similar — isolation, rest, plenty of fluids and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.

“Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and bodyache and other symptomatic treatments are required,” says the Lancet report. Further follow-up and monitoring for serious outcomes is needed to better understand the need for potential treatments.

“Hand-washing and basic hygiene measures help prevent it. Only supportive treatment is required. Complications are extremely rare and there is no need to worry,” Dr. Gupta added.

How is the Indian government tackling the disease?

The central government on Tuesday rolled out an advisory on the virus.

“The disease, which seems to be a variant of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), occurs mainly in children under 10 years of age, but it can occur in adults too,” the government said in the advisory.

It said that children must be educated about the signs and symptoms, and side effects of Tomato flu. The government has advised isolation of five to seven days from the onset of any symptoms to prevent the spread of infection to other children or adults.

Parents should make sure that their children do not hug or touch other children having fever or rash symptoms. "You should encourage your children to stop thumb or finger sucking habits. Encourage the child to use a handkerchief in case of a runny nose or coughing,” it added.

It further advised the use of warm water to clean skin or for bathing the child. It is also important to take a nutrition-rich, balanced diet to boost immunity, and get enough rest and sleep to promote healing.

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