What is tomato flu?
Tomato flu is an unidentified fever that has mostly been found in Kerala among children below five years of age. The flu causes rashes and blisters on the infected child's body which are generally red in colour - hence, calling it the ‘tomato flu’ or the ‘tomato fever’. Reportedly, there is a debate if the disease is a viral fever or an aftereffect of chikungunya or dengue fever. While the disease is found only in some parts of Kerala, health officials have warned that the virus could spread further if preventive measures are not taken.
Children below five years of age have been suffering from a viral infection, called 'tomato flu' in Kerala's Kollam, as per local media. More than 80 cases of tomato flu have been reported in Kollam.
All confirmed cases are children below five years and they have been reported from local government hospitals. As per reports, the number of cases may be higher if the cases from private hospitals are included. The state health department is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and has taken preventive measures in the areas where the cases have been reported. The Anganwadi centres in the areas have been closed while authorities launched awareness campaigns in villages.
Tomato flu is an unidentified fever that has mostly been found in Kerala among children below five years of age. The flu causes rashes and blisters on the infected child's body which are generally red in colour - hence, calling it the ‘tomato flu’ or the ‘tomato fever’. Reportedly, there is a debate if the disease is a viral fever or an aftereffect of chikungunya or dengue fever. While the disease is found only in some parts of Kerala, health officials have warned that the virus could spread further if preventive measures are not taken.
Tomato flu in Kerala
Children below five years of age have been suffering from a viral infection, called 'tomato flu' in Kerala's Kollam, as per local media. More than 80 cases of tomato flu have been reported in Kollam.
All confirmed cases are children below five years and they have been reported from local government hospitals. As per reports, the number of cases may be higher if the cases from private hospitals are included. The state health department is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and has taken preventive measures in the areas where the cases have been reported. The Anganwadi centres in the areas have been closed while authorities launched awareness campaigns in villages.