June 26, 2020
Media Contact: Laura Kornegay, M.D., director, Central Shenandoah Health District, 540-332-7830
CASE OF MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN REPORTED IN CENTRAL SHENANDOAH HEALTH DISTRICT
(STAUNTON, Virginia) — The Central Shenandoah Health District has confirmed a case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. The child has recovered. To protect privacy, no other patient information will be disclosed.
MIS-C, previously called Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, is a new health condition associated with COVID-19. The first reports of this syndrome came from the United Kingdom in late April. U.S. cases were first reported in New York City in early May.
MIS-C may cause problems with a child’s heart and other organs. Most children with MIS-C have fever lasting several days and may show symptoms of irritability or decreased activity, abdominal pain without another explanation, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite, red or cracked lips, red or bumpy tongue, or swollen hands and feet. Not all children with MIS-C have the same symptoms. Call your doctor immediately if your child becomes ill and has a continued fever or any of these symptoms.
If your child shows any emergency warning signs — trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or severe abdominal pain — go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Virginia Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, M.D., M.A., provided information and guidance on the syndrome to health care providers in Virginia in a May 15 Clinician Letter.
“I urge all local health care providers to immediately report any patient who meets these criteria to the local health department,” said Laura Kornegay, M.D., director, Central Shenandoah Health District. “Though we are in Phase Two of recovery, everyone should still take steps to avoid exposure to COVID-19 by practicing physical distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing cloth face coverings as appropriate.” (Face coverings are not recommended for children under two years old.)
“This case was identified after the fact, based on new information that is available concerning this syndrome,.” Dr. Kornegay continued. “Identifying this case adds to our scientific knowledge of the spectrum of COVID-19 related disease.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Advisory on May 14 about MIS-C, which may include symptoms of persistent fever, hypotension, multisystem organ involvement and elevated markers of inflammation.
As more businesses and facilities begin to reopen as part of Phase Two — and on July 1, Phase Three — of the Forward Virginia blueprint, it is critical that individuals and families remain vigilant about hand washing, physical distancing and face coverings. With community spread across Virginia, people of any age, race and gender are at risk for infection, severe illness and even death. Visit the CDC website for more information about COVID-19 and MIS-C.
Cases of MIS-C in Virginia are reported on the VDH website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus. This case will be added to the data, which is updated daily.
For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus or https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah.
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