10-month-old in St. Clair County has symptoms of inflammatory syndrome seen in New York
A 10-month-old in St. Clair County has the symptoms of an illness associated with COVID-19 that was first seen in the U.S. among children in New York City, local officials said Saturday.
St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern called it a “disturbing new statistic” in the county’s daily update, streamed on Facebook, on the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Health authorities in New York on May 4 issued an alert about the multi-system inflammatory syndrome seen in children. At the time, about 15 children in New York City hospitals had fevers, and many reported rashes, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea. Some also had respiratory symptoms.
Much is still unknown about the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Samantha Bierman, the St. Clair County Health Department’s emergency response coordinator, said public health officials received a report stating the 10-month-old had antibodies for COVID-19, which means the child had the disease in the past.
“And now, they are experiencing systemic issues, so whole body-wide issues,” Bierman said. “Obviously that’s scary for anyone at any age, but when you’re that young ... you don’t understand why you’re being stuck with needles, and why you can’t be with Mom or Dad. It’s a very scary thing.”
Bierman said the child’s illness shows the importance of following safety guidance, such as wearing face coverings, in protecting vulnerable people in the community.
“That’s why it’s always important not only to think of yourself when you’re out in the public, but to think of others around you,” she said.
Outside of New York, the inflammatory syndrome has also been seen elsewhere in Illinois, as well as Missouri, and at least 16 other states, CNN reported on Thursday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking more data from health care providers to better understand the illness, Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Thursday.
On Friday, the World Health Organization released a preliminary definition based on what it had learned up until then as it, too, seeks more information.
The multi-system inflammatory disease has been seen in children and adolescents who are younger than 1 up to 19 years old, according to the agency. The children typically have a fever for more than three days. They might also have a rash, watery eyes, swelling of the mouth, hands or feet, low blood pressure or shock, heart problems, blood clotting issues and diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pain.
This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 4:56 PM.
