Yakima Child Diagnosed With Coronavirus-Related Syndrome

YAKIMA, WA — The Yakima Health District confirms that a child has been diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, sometimes called MIS-C. MIS-C is a little-understood syndrome that appears in children who have been infected with the coronavirus or who have been exposed to the virus in the past.

The health department says the latest patient, a child under the age of 10, was first treated at Virginia Mason Memorial hospital but was transferred to Seattle Children's for intensive care.

MIS-C is a disorder similar at first to Kawasaki's disease: presenting as an inflammation of the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin or other organs. The disorder was first recognized by health care workers in the UK in late April, and much about the syndrome is still unknown, including what causes it and why some children catch after exposure to the coronavirus while others do not.

Though cases of MIS-C remain rare, parents are advised to seek emergency care immediately if their child shows these early warning signs:

• Fever above 100.4 F
• A persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Rash
• Red, cracked lips
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

The Yakima Health District says that if a child is severely ill, parents should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.

Recently cases of MIS-C were reported in Franklin, Snohomish and King Counties. Health officials say the new crop of MIS-C cases are an important reminder to practice safe social distancing at all times.

“We unfortunately are now seeing serious complications in our youth who have had COVID-19, even though they are generally at low-risk for severe COVID-19 infection." said Dr. Teresa Everson, Health Officer for the Yakima Health District. "We remind everyone that even though you may personally be low-risk, and may be infected without symptoms, your actions can lead to severe illness or death in others."