Tomato flu: Here's why children are at increased risk of the viral fever

The Lancet Respiratory Journal which has already raised alarm bells over the contagious tomato fever has warned that young children between 1 to 5 years are more vulnerable to the disease as viral infections are common in this age group.

It further cautioned, if the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, it might lead to serious consequences by spreading in adults as well.

The study revealed that children are at increased risk of exposure to tomato flu as viral infections are common in this age group and the spread is likely to be through close contact.

The kids are also prone to this infection through use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces, as well as putting things directly into the mouth.

The rare viral infection has got its name on the basis of the eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarges to the size of a tomato, is currently in an "endemic state".

It is caused by the intestinal viruses and is also believed to be a variation of hand, foot and mouth disease and an aftereffect of chikungunya and dengue.

As the tomato flu outbreak persists across the world, India reported its first case in Kerala’s Kollam district in May this year

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