A number of children in the UK without underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory disease that may be linked to coronavirus, according to reports.
Metro cite the UK’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock as having confirmed that medical experts in both Britain and Italy are investigating a possible link between COVID-19 and a group of infants arriving in hospitals with high fevers and swollen arteries.
Doctors in northern Italy have reported extraordinarily high numbers of children under the age of nine with severe cases of a disease similar to Kawasaki disease, usually more common in Asia.
Mr Hancock reportedly told LBC Radio: “There are some children who have died who didn’t have underlying health conditions.
“It’s a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus and the Covid-19 virus. We’re not 100% sure – because some of the people who got it hadn’t tested positive – so we’re doing a lot of research now but it is something that we’re worried about.
“It is rare – although it is very significant for those children who do get it, the number of cases is small.”
Kawasaki disease is described as an affliction usually affecting children under the age of five. It’s associated with fever, swelling of glands, rashes and, in more severe cases, inflammation of arteries or the heart.
Health minister Victoria Atkins told the public: “It demonstrates just how fast-moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect.”
Another complication arising from coronavirus is the last thing we need right now. Stay safe, people, and ensure you’re following all the government guidelines and restrictions!
Share this article to raise awareness as to this new potential problem.
