Tomato Flu: Parents warned kids most at risk

Tomato Flu threatens to reach our shores, with the most vulnerable Aussies at risk. Here’s what you need to know.

Tomato Flu is the new virus making its way across the globe, with parents being warned this latest disease outbreak mostly impacts young children.

The virus was first identified in the Kollan district of Kerala, India, in May, and has so far infected dozens of children.

If recent virus outbreaks are anything to go by, there’s reason to expect the Tomato Virus will eventually makes its way to Australia. Here’s what we know about the disease so far.

Tomato Flu symptoms include red blisters that appear similar to Monkeypox rashes. Picture: istock

WHAT IS IT?

It’s believed the Tomato Flu is a new variant of the already prevalent Hand, Food and Mouth disease, mostly impacting children under five years of age as well as immunocompromised adults.

Research Scientist Dr Benjamin Bailly said experts suspected that the disease could be the after affect of Chikungunya or Dengue fever, however the viruses responsible for these diseases were not detected in the serological tests of tomato flu patients.

“Now, because the disease targets young children, is very contagious and manifests through blisters, it is likely that it is caused by a variant of the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease in children - enterovirus A71 or coxsakievirus A16 or A6.”

The Tomato Flu is caused by Coxsackie virus A 16, and belongs to the Enterovirus family.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

Tomato Flu’s most identifiable symptom is the development of red and painful blisters throughout the body, that eventually grow to the size of a tomato – hence the name.

The blisters are similar in appearance to the rash experienced by young people with monkeypox.

According to the Lancet Respiratory Medicine Journal, further rashes may also appear on the skin that can lead to skin irritation.

Similar to most other viral infections, Tomato Flu symptoms also include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms, the journal reports.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a self-limiting illness (gets better by itself), caused by the Coxsackie virus, the same virus is believed to cause Tomato Flu

IS IT IN AUSTRALIA (OR IS IT LIKELY TO BE)?

As with any other virus, there is always a risk for tomato flu to make its way to Australia. “Especially now that worldwide travel is getting back to normal,” said Dr Bailly.

“For now, there is no cause for particular concern.”

While there have been no confirmed cases of the Tomato Flu in Australia, other variations of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease area already here.

“The virus and disease are common worldwide, including Australia, mostly causing illness in children,” Professor Andreas Suhrbier, group leader of Inflammation Biology at QIMR Berghofer told News Corp.

“It can spread rapidly and can be transmitted on unwashed hands, surfaces contaminated by faeces and via droplets from sneezing or coughing,” the professor said.

HOW SERIOUS IS IT?

Like Hand, Foot and Mouth disease generally, the Tomato Flu is considered mild, lasting around seven-10 days.

“Luckily, the disease appears to be self-limiting and non-life-threatening,” said Dr Bailly. “However, it is particularly contagious, so great care should be taken to reduce transmission to avoid a more wide-spread outbreak.”

Ashley Quigley, a senior research associate in Global Biosecurity at the Kirby Institute, UNSW told News Corop the long-term effects of Covid-19 could lead to an increase in illnesses in an already weakened immune system.

“And so we need to be cautious until more is known about this infection,” she said.

Like Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, Tomato Flu is extremely contagious. Picture: iStock.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN?

As with all viral conditions, prevention is better than cure when it comes to the Tomato Flu.

Good hygiene, such as hand washing and the washing of toys being shared by children, is critical.

“Since tomato flu is contagious like hand, foot and mouth disease, parents should ensure that children follow good hygiene rules, such as washing their hands regularly,” said Dr Bailly.

There is currently no treatment for Tomato Flu, so the best way to treat the symptoms, and ensure the child is hydrated and gets plenty of rest.

“They should also follow isolation rules if tomato flu is suspected, typically for 5 to 10 days,” said Dr Bailly.

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal recommends isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.

“Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and bodyache and other symptomatic treatments are required.”