After cases in Europe, unusually serious illnesses have now also been found in children in the USA. Symptoms are severe inflammation. It is still unclear whether there is a connection with the coronavirus.
By Antje Passenheim, ARD-Studio New York
At least 38 boys and girls in New York have an unknown syndrome. Three children died in New York state: a five-year-old, an elementary school student, and a teenager. There are also around 50 other suspected cases in the state, the authorities said.
In the disease, various parts of the body are affected by inflammation, apparently triggered by an exaggerated immune reaction. Symptoms include persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, and vomiting. “And these damage the body,” explained Mayor Bill de Blasio. He called on all parents whose children suffered from the symptoms described to seek medical help immediately.
Coronavirus connection not excluded
In order to clarify a possible connection with the coronavirus, all affected children would now be tested for the pathogen and antibodies. Almost half of the children tested so far were infected with the corona virus. A good 80 percent would have had antibodies against the pathogen in their blood. Cases of the apparently new syndrome have also been reported from Italy, Great Britain, France and other European countries.
The disease is similar to what is known as Kawasaki syndrome. The cause of this syndrome is unclear. It is suspected that the immune system reacts incorrectly to respiratory infections. In addition to rhinoviruses, possible triggers include four types of corona viruses that have been known for some time.
