https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11126647/Warning-brand-new-tomato-flu-virus-detected-India-infects-82-children.html
Warning over brand new 'tomato flu' virus detected in India that leaves at least 82 children with giant red blisters
Infection spotted in India and may be variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease
Experts also probing whether it is the after-effect of a mosquito-borne infection
So far 82 children under five have been diagnosed with tomato fever since May
By EMILY CRAIG HEALTH REPORTER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 07:26 EDT, 19 August 2022 | UPDATED: 09:06 EDT, 19 August 2022
Doctors in India have sounded the alarm over a new virus dubbed 'tomato flu' that has infected dozens of children.
The infection was spotted in May in the southern state of Kerala and it is feared to be a new variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Experts are also probing whether it is the after-effect of a mosquito-borne infection but they have not ruled out an entirely new pathogen.
So far 82 children under five have been diagnosed with tomato fever since May and a further 26 youngsters up to age 10 are suspected cases.
The infection gained its name because it causes an ‘eruption’ of red painful blisters across patients' bodies that 'gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato'.
Most patients also suffer high fever and intense joint pain, but fatigue, sickness and diarrhoea have also been reported.
Doctors say it is 'very contagious' and they fear it could spill into adult populations if the current outbreak is not brought under control.
It comes as the world still reels from the Covid pandemic — and amid a global outbreak of monkeypox.