Coronavirus Update: 64 New York Kids Have Kawasaki Disease

The state Health Department released a report Wednesday that 64 children have come down with a rare, life-threatening inflammatory ailment and were all admitted to different hospitals. Dr. Howard Zucker, the state Health Commissioner, has issued an alert to hospitals regarding the “likely association” between Kawasaki disease, a “multi-system inflammatory syndrome” and coronavirus.

An Urgent Advisory

The advisory issued by the health commissioner also revealed that as of May 5, sixty-four cases of a suspected multi-system inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus have already been reported. All of the patients were children who are now being cared for in different New York State Hospitals. The health alert also added that most of them have also tested positive for coronavirus or coronavirus-fighting antibodies.

The state health department directed hospitals to immediately report to the Health Department similar cases of Kawasaki disease or pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome. Along with this, hospitals should also immediately subject the patients to COVID-19 tests, so it will be known if they likewise have the deadly bug. The alert also stated that it is important for pediatricians to recognize the symptoms at an early point so the patient could promptly be referred to an in-patient specialist.

Rare Childhood Illnesses

Multi-inflammatory syndrome and Kawasaki disease are rare illnesses that usually occur in children. The ailment causes the walls of the body’s blood vessels to become inflamed. Its symptoms include rashes, swollen neck glands, high temperature that can last for five days or more, and redness in the eyes. Health experts say those who are younger than five years old are most at risk.

A health alert was also issued Monday by the New York City Health Department as regards the rare disease. This was after it was reported that four of the 15 kids between two and 15 years old and showed symptoms of Kawasaki disease were also found positive for COVID-19.

Mayor Bill de Blasio sent out a tweet Tuesday stating that the city has not seen any fatalities resulting from Kawasaki disease so far, though they have been very concerned. He also tweeted that everyone is learning more about the virus with each passing day and how it affects the body. “This is a ferocious disease,” Mayor de Blasio tweeted.