• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Warning issued over 'tomato flu' with dozens of children already infected

Home> News

Updated 01:40 22 Aug 2022 GMT+1Published 01:41 22 Aug 2022 GMT+1

Warning issued over 'tomato flu' with dozens of children already infected

The virus, which was named due to the red blisters inflicted on the patient, has infected more than 100 children under 10.

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins

Scientists have warned that we may be in for another major virus fight with the ‘tomato flu’ showing signs of significant spreading.

We’re still battling Covid-19 as monkey-pox gains a foothold; so may as well throw another virus into the mix. 

The tomato flu, which was fittingly named because of the painful-looking red blisters that pop up on the skin of the patient, was first identified in India back on May 6.

Tomato flu shows similar symptoms to Monkeypox.
Jozef Polc / Alamy

Advert

In a study conducted by The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Journal, the flu has so far infected 82 children all under the age of five, with a further 26 suspected cases up to the age of 10. 

The virus comes with fever and joint pain similar to that of Covid-19, however, is not related to the illness.

Other symptoms have included vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and very rare cases of a change in limb colour. 

The study reports: “The rare viral infection is in an endemic state and is considered non-life-threatening; however, because of the dreadful experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, vigilant management is desirable to prevent further outbreaks.”

The researchers also did not rule out that the virus could be a new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease that has become more common in children under the age of five. 

Advert

Hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Rajeshodayanchal (Creative Commons)

Children are more likely to become compromised due to close contact and are prone to infection from using nappies, touching unclean surfaces, and their tendency to put dirty things directly in their mouths.

It's probably the one time you’ll want to teach your kid that sharing is not caring. 

The report added: “Given the similarities to hand, foot, and mouth disease if the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, transmission might lead to serious consequences by spreading in adults as well.”

Just like with Covid-19, scientists are recommending isolation for confirmed and suspected cases for up seven days to prevent the spread of infection. 

Advert

Currently, the disease has only impacted and been identified in the Kollam district of Kerala, but an endemic alert has been triggered in neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. 

There are currently no antiviral drugs or vaccines for the direct treatment of the tomato flu.

Featured Image Credit: Cavan Images / Alamy. Hanna Kuprevich / Alamy.

Topics: Science, Coronavirus, Health

Jayden Collins
Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at LADbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

27 mins ago
28 mins ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • 27 mins ago

    Doctors warn of strange 'BBL smell' side effect making people reconsider surgery

    It's a side effect you've probably never considered before

    News
  • 28 mins ago

    Person dies after being 'sucked into plane engine' before takeoff

    Flight operations at the European airport have been suspended

    News

    breaking

  • 2 hours ago

    Man 'completing Hyrox race while passed out girlfriend is treated by paramedics' sparks furious debate

    According to a fellow competitor, the woman passed out and started 'twitching on the floor'

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Police slam British teen's claim as they release CCTV after she is accused of 'smuggling £200k of cannabis'

    Bella May Culley has been detained in Georgia since May

    News
  • Man diagnosed with colon cancer gives warning over Mounjaro hiding symptoms of disease
  • Mother's warning over 'silent killer' that killed both of her children in less than one year
  • Health warning issued to men who sleep in their boxers
  • Chilling warning issued by scientists as they reveal Hawaii is sinking