Monkeypox, Scrub Typhus, Tomato and other viruses knocking on door in unexpected ways

CDC describes monkeypox as a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body.

According to CDC, monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’

More than 200 cases of Monkeypox have been found in over 20 countries.

Monkeypox is endemic in 11 countries in the West and Central Africa. As per reports, Nigeria had asked for global help in 2017 for an ‘unprecedented outbreak’ of the monkeypox virus.

According to the World Health Organization, 200 cases have been reported so far.  They have been found in countries where monkeypox infections are not usually seen.

Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.

A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

Tomato Fever is the case of children experiencing undiagnosed and unidentified fever. According to media reports, the debate is still on whether Tomato Fever is a viral fever or is an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever.

In Tomato flu, children show rashes, skin irritation, dehydration, and red blisters, which is probably how it got its name tomato flu.

More than 80 children in Kerala, below five years of age, have been infected by the virus.

Major symptoms of tomato flu include High fever, Dehydration, Rashes, skin irritation; hand and legs skin colour can also change, Blisters, Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, Runny nose, cough, sneeze, Tiredness and body ache.

Earlier this month, over 80 cases of the HFMD were reported from Kerala's Kollam district, prompting the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to increase their vigilance in the border districts.

Additionally, 26 children have been diagnosed with the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Odisha and their condition is stable, a health official said on Tuesday.

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus is a disease caused by a bacteria called 'Orientia tsutsugamushi' and spreads to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases of scrub typhus emerge in rural areas of Asian countries like India, Indonesia, China and Japan.

A person infected with scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Antibiotics, notably, are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin

The CDC has said that the symptoms of scrub typhus usually begin within 10 days of being bitten. An infected person will have symptoms like fever and chills, headache, rashes, body aches and muscle pain.

The symptoms also include a dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite and mental changes ranging from confusion to coma.

Doctors say that just as dengue is bitten by the Aedes mosquito, the Scrub Typhus bacteria enter the body by the bite of a type of insect called trombicullid mites. If caught first, it is possible to quickly deal with scrub typhus. Scrub typhus becomes life-threatening when the diagnosis is delayed.

A middle-aged man who was diagnosed with West Nile fever reportedly died in Thrissur district in Kerala. Joby (47), a native of Puthur Asarikode, died while undergoing treatment for fever.

West Nile Fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the West Nile virus transmitted to people through bites of infected mosquitoes. Birds are natural hosts of the virus but humans, horses and other mammals can also be infected as per the National Health Portal.