Rare Coronavirus-Linked Condition Found In 11 Washington Children

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington state health officials have confirmed six additional cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, a rare condition linked to the coronavirus. The first two cases were identified in Snohomish and King counties in May, followed by others in Franklin and Yakima counties.

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.

As of Friday, Aug. 7, 11 such illnesses have been identified in patients in five Washington counties:

King: 3
Yakima: 3
Franklin: 2
Snohomish: 2
Skagit: 1

In Washington, six cases are among children ages nine or younger, and five are in children 10 or older. Across the U.S., 570 cases have been diagnosed in 40 states.

Health officials identify an MIS-C illness as "a patient under the age of 21 with a fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation and severe illness involving more than two organs that requires hospitalization." To meet the standard for classification, patients must have no other "plausible diagnoses" and should either have tested positive for COVID-19 or had exposure to a confirmed case before their symptoms began.

More than half of the patients identified in Washington are Hispanic, 18 percent are white, 9 percent are Black, 9 percent are Asian and 9 percent are American Indian or Alaska Native.

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
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Rash
• Red, cracked lips
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

"While MIS-C is very rare, parents should be aware it can happen and contact their health care provider if their children develop new or unusual symptoms," said Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state health officer. "We are tracking this issue closely and continue to ask health care providers to be on the lookout and immediately report possible cases to local health."

Read a recent analysis of MIS-C on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Patch reporter Charles Woodman contributed to this report.