NC Sees First Case of Rare Coronavirus-Linked Illness In Children

NORTH CAROLINA — A child in North Carolina is recovering from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and is the state's first confirmed case of a rare inflammatory illness associated with coronavirus, state public health officials said Thursday.

As of Thursday, there were 20,910 confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Carolina and 716 related deaths.

"MIS-C is a very rare but serious inflammatory disease found in some children who have current or recent infections," North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said at news conference Thursday.

A recent possible link has been discovered connecting coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, and MIS-C after increased reports of children becoming sick with the latter in the United Kingdom in late April. The first cases in the U.S. were reported earlier this month in New York, where at least three children have died from the illness.

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"We've asked our physicians around North Carolina to be on the lookout for MIS-C and report suspected cases for further investigation," Cohen said.

Symptoms of MIS-C can take up to a month to emerge in children following exposure to COVID-19. While the disease is not contagious, children with symptoms could have COVID-19, health officials say.

MIS-C is "very, very rare but it is something notable because it is severe," Cohen said. "We do expect that as we see more [COVID-19], you may see more of this," Cohen said.

The child is recovering at home and "doing well," she said.

"Because children with this syndrome may become seriously ill, it is important that parents and caregivers know the signs and symptoms their children may have so they can get help right away," NC DHHS said in a statement Thursday.

Children with MIS-C have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher lasting several days, along with other symptoms including:

• Irritability or decreased activity
• Abdominal pain without another explanation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Conjunctivitis (red or pink eyes)
• Poor feeding
• Red, cracked lips or red, bumpy tongue that looks like a strawberry
• Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red

Should your child have a persistent fever and any of these symptoms, call your child’s doctor immediately, NC DHHS said. "The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and use that information to recommend next steps. If your child is severely ill, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately."

State health officials recommend that all adults and children take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19, including wearing a face mask when in public, coughing into your elbow and not touching your face.

More information on MIS-C related to COVID-19, may be found on the CDC website here.

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