Bhubaneswar

Odisha Sees Sudden Spurt In Tomato Flu!

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: After Kerala, cases of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) or Tomato flu have started to pour in in Odisha. What is of more concern is that the disease, which is caused by a virus called Coxsackievirus A16, is also affecting children above five years of age and also with repeat infection that is highly unusual.

“There has been a sudden spurt in HFMD in Bhubaneswar with similar reports coming in from Cuttack and several other districts. Typically the virus affects children under five, but we are seeing cases in children as old as 12 and even a 14-year-old. Further, some of them are infected for the second time, which is highly unusual due to the long-lasting immunity of the virus. There have also been cases, where repeat infection is in the same season,” paediatrician and Dean of School of Allied Health Sciences, AIPH University, Dr Arijit Mohapatra was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.

He attributed it to a possible mutated strain of the Coxsackievirus, or a totally different virus. “Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) has been demonstrated in cases of HFMD outbreaks in East and Southeast Asia. We currently don’t know which strain has caused this outbreak and therefore, surveillance and sampling of any infectious disease on a regular basis is important,” he added.

Rashes, red blisters, skin irritation and dehydration are common in children affected by the flu. However, there is no specific drug for it and the symptoms resolve on their own with supportive care. Since it is contagious and spreads through touch, close contact and respiratory modes, those infected need to be isolated and practice proper hygiene. It is essential to prevent infected children from scratching the blisters caused by the flu.

 

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

India Counted 640 Million Votes In A Day, California Still Counting: Elon Musk Takes Jibe At US Poll Process

New York: Slamming the prolonged delays in some parts of United States, Elon Musk on…

November 24, 2024

17-Yr-Old Bangladeshi Girl ‘Trafficked’ To Odisha Rescued From Cuttack City

Cuttack: Madhupatana Police recently rescued a 17-year-old Bangladeshi girl, a suspected victim of trafficking and…

November 24, 2024

After Mahayuti’s Mahavijay, Who Will Be Maharashtra’s New CM? Here’s What Devendra Fadnavis & Eknath Shinde Said

Mumbai: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the NCP alliance emerging victorious in…

November 24, 2024

Driver Burnt Alive As Container Catches Fire Near Laxmannath Toll Plaza In Odisha

Balasore: The driver of a container truck was charred to death after the vehicle caught…

November 24, 2024

80 Arrested In Massive Crackdown On Illegal Gambling In Odisha’s Nuapada

Nuapada: At least 80 people were arrested during a massive crackdown on illegal gambling activities…

November 24, 2024

IAS Reshuffle In Odisha: Sudhansu Samal Appointed OMC MD, Yamini Sarangi As Commercial Taxes & GST Commissioner

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has transferred Special Secretary, Planning and Convergence, Chitra Arumugam and posted…

November 24, 2024

Clash Erupts In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal During Official Survey Of Mosque Following Court Order

Sambhal: A violent clash erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday after a group opposed…

November 24, 2024

Hina Khan Shares Warm Post For ‘Humble And Kind’ Salman Khan

Mumbai: Television actress Hina Khan, who is battling breast cancer, recently met host Salman Khan…

November 23, 2024