Centre issues advisory to states on Tomato Flu.

• The Centre has issued an advisory to states on Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), commonly known as Tomato Flu.
• According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tomato Flu was first identified in the Kollam district of Kerala on May 6 and as of July 26, more than 82 children younger than 5 years with the infection have been reported by the local government hospitals.

Tomato flu symptoms

• The disease is named tomato flu as its main symptom is red blisters that look akin to tomatoes when enlarged.
• Tomato flu’s primary symptoms include fever, fatigue, body aches, skin rashes, intense joint pain and dehydration.
• Other symptoms are nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration and common influenza-like symptoms.
• Meanwhile, health experts have called tomato flu a misleading name for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
• Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, IMA member in Kochi told India Today, “The illness is commonly caused by the Coxsackie virus which results in small 4-6 mm red spots on the skin that later become bubbles with fluid inside.
• The skin lesions can appear on the hands, feet and buttocks. It spreads by contact between young children and is self-limiting, requiring only supportive treatment. It has no connection with tomatoes.”

Tomato Flu vs Monkeypox

• While there is no specific drug or vaccine for treating HFMD or tomato flu, newer vaccines have been developed of which one has even been approved for the treatment of monkeypox. As per WHO, an antiviral agent originally developed for smallpox has been licensed for treating monkeypox.
• In case of monkeypox, contacts have to be observed at least daily for any symptoms or signs of the disease for 21 days from the last contact with a patient or contaminated material during the infection. On the other hand, isolation of 5-7 days is good enough in case of tomato flu or HFMD.