Rare Disease Linked To Coronavirus ID'd In Gloucester County

A total of 18 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years old have shown symptoms of what has become known as Kawasaki Disease in New Jersey, health officials said on Wednesday. These cases are spread out across the state, including at least one in Gloucester County.

Four New Jersey children who showed symptoms of inflammatory response syndrome subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus, New Jersey Health Officer Judith Persichilli said during a news conference.

All cases are under investigation, and it is very early in the process, officials said. Seven more cases were reported on Monday, and five of the original 11 cases involved females, Persichilli said.

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In addition to Gloucester County, children in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Passaic, Union and Warren counties have shown symptoms of Kawasaki Disease.

The disease causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body, and typically impacts children under the age of 5, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms include fever, rash, swelling of the hands and feet, irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat.

The disease has already been identified in the northern portion of the state and in New York. Earlier this week, Patch reported that doctors at Goryeb Children's Hospital were treating patients with symptoms of the disease. Read more here: Morristown Doctors Treating Pediatric Illnesses Linked To COVID-19

In New York, 15 children were recently hospitalized. Read more: 15 NYC Kids Hospitalized With Rare Coronavirus-Linked Disease

The World Health Organization began investigating a possible connection between Kawasaki disease and COVID-19 after its appearance in Italy and the United Kingdom raised concerns among health care workers.

Persichilli said officials would provide more information as it becomes available. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know