'Tomato Flu' Spreading in India... Red Blisters and Pain "A New Virus"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A new virus called 'Tomato Flu' is spreading mainly among children in India.

According to local media and foreign reports on the 27th (local time), the southern state of Kerala reported the highest number of infections with 82 cases. In the eastern state of Odisha, 26 patients have been reported. Most of the patients are children under the age of 10.

Symptoms include severe joint pain, red blisters, and rashes. There are also vomiting, high fever, and fatigue symptoms, but it is a new disease distinct from common influenza, dengue fever, COVID-19, or monkeypox. Although highly contagious, it is known that the disease is not severe enough to threaten life.

The nickname 'Tomato Flu' appears to have been given because the red blisters grow to the size of small tomatoes.

The international medical journal The Lancet recently classified this disease as a 'new virus.' T. Sundararaman, former head of the Indian Health System Resource Center, told EFE News Agency that it is considered a variant closely related to hand, foot, and mouth disease.

The Indian federal government issued a Tomato Flu alert to each state on the 23rd. The federal government advised thorough personal hygiene and isolation for about 5 to 7 days if symptoms appear, stating that "there is currently no treatment available." The northern state government of Uttar Pradesh urged households not to hold or touch children showing symptoms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.