The Government has recently forwarded an advisory to the states in regards to HFMD (Hand Foot & Mouth Disease). The disease is known as Tomato Flu in Layman language. 82 children younger than 5 years have been infected with the infection, as on 26 July.
According to the information in the advisory, the disease is self-limiting. It mostly targets young children aged 1-10 years & immune-compromised adults. As of 23 August 2022, there doesn’t exist any specific drug for its treatment.
The advisory also made it clear that the disease is not related to SARS-CoV-2, monkey pox, dengue and/or chikungunya, although it shows symptoms similar to other viral infections such as fever, fatigue, body aches & rashes.
Prevention method includes proper hygiene & sanitation maintenance of the surrounding. Upon infection, a victim should follow isolation for 5-7 days, from the moment any symptom surfaces. This will prevent the infection to spread to other children.
The disease was first identified in Kollam, Kerala on May 6, 2022. Along with the 82 infected children younger than 5 years, reported by local govt. hospitals, 26 children in the age-group of 1-9 years have also been infected in Odisha, according to reports by RMRC Bhubaneswar.
Coxsackie virus A 16 causes Tomato Flu. The virus is a member of the Enterovirus family. At present apart from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, no other region in India has been infected.
