HFMD fears: State intensifies tests

Bhubaneswar: Amid rising hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases among children across Odisha, the state health authorities on Saturday said tests are being conducted at the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) to find out whether a new virus has emerged.
AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, and Capital Hospital have reported several cases of HFMD, which is being termed as ‘tomato fever’. However, experts said there is no such disease as ‘tomato fever’. “We are sure that it is HFMD and not ‘tomato fever’. We have sent samples of blisters and throat swab to the RMRC to confirm whether they contain a new virus. We are watchful about the situation,” said Niranjan Mishra, director, public health.
“So far, the reported cases have shown routine symptoms of HFMD. Unusual symptoms are being monitored. The RMRC is looking into the viral etiology,” RMRC director Sanghamitra Pati told TOI.
Doctors said given the contagious nature of the virus, it is advisable to keep affected children in isolation even as the symptoms are not manifesting in any kind of severity. “The viral infection is causing fever, sore throat and blisters. We have received many cases of HFMD in children below five years and above one year of age. With just a routine check-up in OPD, they are being discharged. There is no need to panic,” said Laxmidhar Sahu, director, Capital Hospital. He added that children HFMD symptoms should receive treatment for flu.
Senior pulmonologist Sampat Das said HFMD heals on its own. “In some cases, children may require medication as per the given condition that would best be evaluated by the treating physician. Parents should restrict exposure of the children,” he added.
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