A new influenza virus was detected in India, after which giant red blisters appeared on the skin of at least 82 children. Local doctors have already sounded the alarm and dubbed this disease tomato flu.
The infection was identified in May in the southern Indian state of Kerala, and there are fears that in reality this is not the flu itself, but another version of the disease of the hands, mouth, or simply foot and mouth disease. Now experts are trying to figure out whether this is a consequence of a mosquito-borne infection, but the emergence of a completely new pathogen cannot be ruled out. At least 82 children under the age of 5 have been diagnosed with this “tomato fever”, and in another 26 children under the age of 10 it is only suspected.
First victims of “swine flu” appeared among tourists in India
The disease got such an exotic name because it causes a whole eruption of red, painful blisters on the body of young patients, and they gradually grow to size small tomato. Most patients also suffer from high fever and severe joint pain, and fatigue, nausea and diarrhea have also been reported.
Children are encouraged to drink tomato juice after class
Doctors say 'tomato flu' is highly contagious and worry that it could pass from children to adults if the current outbreak is not brought under tight control. Very bad news, considering that the world has not yet recovered from the coronavirus pandemic, and is also dealing with monkeypox. (READ MORE)