The Centre issued an advisory on the new 'mystery virus' tomato flu on Tuesday, the newest ailment in India after COVID-19 and monkeypox.It has been reported in southern states, predominantly in Kerala, in children below the age of five.According to experts, this infectious disease is reportedly a variant of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HMFD) targeting young children.

Advisory
What does the advisory say?

The Ministry of Health issued an advisory after more than 100 cases were reported in Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana.The ministry said, "The name...comes from the main symptom of the disease, i.e, tomato-shaped blisters...which start as red-colored small blisters and resemble tomatoes when they enlarge."It noted that much like other viral infections, patients witness fever, rashes, and joint pain.

Information
How many cases have been reported?

As per reports, the advisory was sent to states on Tuesday.A report in the medical journal Lancet said that the ailment was first identified in India in May and has primarily infected patients under five.In Odisha, 26 children between the ages of one to nine have contracted the infection.Kerala's widespread infection has triggered an alert in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

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