Prince William Reports Child With Rare Coronavirus-Linked Illness

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The Prince William Health District confirmed a case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare inflammatory disease associated with COVID-19, the health district said Friday. The child has since recovered from their illness after a brief hospitalization in early May.

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 a 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.

Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver provided information and guidance on the syndrome to health care providers in Virginia in a May 15 clinician letter.

“I echo Dr. Oliver’s request to all health care providers in Virginia to immediately report any patient who meets these criteria to the local health department by the most rapid means,” Prince William Health District Director Dr. Alison Ansher said Friday in a statement.

Parents should watch for persistent fever in their children and contact their pediatrician if a child appears especially ill.

The CDC issued a Health Advisory on May 14 about the syndrome, which may include symptoms of persistent fever, hypotension, multisystem organ involvement and elevated markers of inflammation. It is not currently known how common it may be for children to experience these symptoms.

The VDH website currently lists two cases of MIS-C in Virginia. The Prince William County case will be added to the data, which is updated daily, the health district said.

In May, the Fairfax Health District reported the state's first case of MIS-C. The child was hospitalized and then was discharged and recovered at home.