FL Confirms 7 Cases Of Rare Inflammatory Condition in Children

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida health officials said the state has experienced a total of seven confirmed cases of the rare inflammatory condition in children linked with the new coronavirus.

"The Florida Department of Health ... has received information regarding seven confirmed cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Florida," state officials said in an email to Patch.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory on May 14 in which the agency recommended health care providers report any cases which meet the case definition to local, state and territorial health departments.

The United Kingdom noted increased reports of previously healthy children presenting with a severe inflammatory syndrome with Kawasaki disease-like features in late April. The cases occurred in children who tested positive for the coronavirus or had a recent infection related to the virus.

Florida health officials said the state is working to "investigate, confirm and ensure the appropriate care" for any children who may be suffering from the illness.

"We have been in close contact with health care practitioners and providers statewide and, to better understand the disease and its symptoms, have asked them to share with the department any available information regarding MIS," Florida health officials told Patch.

The New York State Department of Health is investigating 176 reported cases and three deaths, predominantly of school-aged children in which the children experienced symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome, possibly due to the new coronavirus, according to the agency.

Of the children displaying symptoms in New York, 93 percent tested positive for the new coronavirus either by diagnostic, antibody testing or both, New York officials said.

The CDC said the agency is still learning about the condition and how it affects children. Officials said the CDC does not yet know why some children have gotten sick and others have not.

"We also do not know if children with certain health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C," the CDC said. "These are among the many questions CDC is working to try to understand."

Patch reached out to several large hospital systems in Florida and confirmed that Holtz Children's Hospital had at least two confirmed cases that met the inflammatory syndrome.

Both children received treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit, according to a Jackson Health System spokesperson.

Nearby Broward Health said they had not seen any cases of the condition. Sarasota Memorial Hospital said they had not seen any confirmed cases but believe they may have treated a few cases of Kawasaki in the past.

A Sarasota Memorial spokesperson told Patch one child presented with possible symptoms but tested negative for the new coronavirus.

According to the CDC, body parts of children can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs with the condition.

"We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19," the CDC said.

The CDC noted the condition "can be serious, even deadly," but most children have gotten better with medical care.

Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes and feeling extra tired.

"Be aware that not all children will have all the same symptoms," the CDC cautioned. The agency said parents should seek emergency medical care for any child that experiences trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away, new confusion, an inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face or severe abdominal pain.

Florida health officials said the state is working at all levels of government.

"The state will continue to work with our state, local and federal public health partners to monitor and address MIS along with any other condition that may affect young Floridians," Florida health officials added in the email.