Tomato Flu Outbreak in India - What is known to Date

C. Lotus Kikon

Abstract: A new rare virus - tomato flue or tomato fever has emerged in India in the state of Kerela. The alarming facet of this flu is that it is prevalent in children below the age of 5 years. The flu was first identified in Kollam district of Kerala on May 6, 2022. As of July 26, 2022 over 82 children younger than 5 years with the infection were reported. Tomato flu is a self - limiting and as of now there are no specific drug exists to treat it. Similar to other kinds of influenza, tomato flu is highly contagious. Therefore, it is essential to take appropriate measure to so as to prevent the outbreak of the tomato flu virus spreading from Kerala to the other parts of India.

Keywords: Tomato flu, tomato fever