Seattle Records State's First Case Of Rare Childhood Illness

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Children's Hospital reported its first case of a rare disease that affects children and has links to COVID-19, the hospital confirmed this week.

KUOW reports the child, a Snohomish County resident, was diagnosed with "pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome," and has the first known illness in the region.

According to the Associated Press, the inflammatory disease triggers a "hyper response" of the immune system, inflaming blood vessels and affecting arteries, potentially leading to coronary aneurysms. Most children experience mild symptoms, but similar diseases have led to permanent heart issues.

Dr. Michael Portman told KUOW nearly all children with confirmed cases in the U.S. have had confirmed COVID-19 illnesses, positive antibody tests or exposure to an infected person.

The majority of cases confirmed across the nation have been reported in New York, where more than 27,000 people have died from complications linked to COVID-19.

Portman said parents in Washington should not panic about their children getting the rare disease, but should contact a medical provider if their child has a persistent fever.