Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Wednesday asked citizens not to panic over reports of tomato flu in neighboring Kerala, while directing officials in the border district to remain vigilant to control its spread.
Sudhakar said, “Although some of the symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19, tomato flu It has nothing to do with COVID-19. These symptoms are also commonly seen in other types of viral infections. There is no need to panic as the officials have been asked to remain alert. Also, tomato flu is endemic to Kerala,” according to a PTI report.
Tomato flu is currently in the news in the state. Getting its name from the blisters it causes, which look like tomatoes, the disease is a rare viral flu that causes a red rash, skin irritation, and dehydration. In Kerala, at present, tomato fever affects children below five years of age.
As said, the main symptom of flu is large tomato sized blisters that are red in colour.
Other symptoms – high fever, body aches, swollen joints and fatigue – are similar to those of chikungunya.
In Kerala, the causes of tomato flu are currently reported in the regions of Aryankavu, Aanchal and Neduvathur. Following this, the border districts of Karnataka – Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada), Udupi, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar and Mysore – have been directed to keep a watch on daily commuters from Kerala.
Also, the officials are directed to monitor the children in the OPDs of health institutions for any of the above signs and symptoms.
Instructions have also been given to immediately inform the State IDSP (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme) section if any case with such symptoms is detected. Apart from this, the DHOs of the respective districts and other districts are also directed by the Health Commissioner to ensure surveillance.