Alberta investigating first possible case of COVID-19 related disease found in a child

EDMONTON (660NEWS) — Alberta’s top doctor announced the province is investigating its first possible case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, also known as MIS-C, and appears to develop several weeks after a COVID-19 infection.

The rare disease has appeared in other jurisdictions around the world including Quebec, U.K., Italy and the United States.

The new condition can result in inflammation of multiple organs such as the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and nervous system. Fever is a key feature of this syndrome along with rash, vomiting, diarrhea and abominable pain.

“The early information available suggests that the majority of children who have COVID-19 would not be expected to experience this syndrome, however, we are making this disease reportable in order to monitor any cases that might occur, and to improve our understanding of this illness,” Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said at Wednesday’s COVID-19 update.

Hinshaw says this is a rare condition and can be treated with steroids.

One possible case found in a child is being investigated this week by the province.

“They are in stable condition as far as I understand and are being treated in Hospital,” Hinshaw said.

Guidelines are being developed aligned with global reporting standards to help diagnoses and report the condition to public health authorities.

“Part of the work we are doing is to make sure that physicians who might be seeing these patients are aware of the reporting requirement and they are aware of the case definition,” Hinshaw added.

Health officials are continuing to learn new things about the virus and continue to remain cautious about Alberta’s relaunch.

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