Riverside County health officials reported today the first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare medical complication from COVID-19. The child lives in western Riverside County and is younger than 15. Officials are also reporting a second probable case of a child from Coachella Valley.
“While most children are only minimally sickened by COVID-19, they can get it just as easily as adults, and an unlucky few will have serious complications,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “While this case is not known to be linked to any school, it’s a reminder we need to pay attention to COVID-19 in kids and its potential long- and short-term effects.”
MIS-C affects children under 21 years old who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or had COVID-19. Different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs, and there can be lifelong health impacts.
“This syndrome has been reported in a number of places over the past few months, and this shows that these symptoms can occur in Riverside County too,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We need to remember that this pandemic is still among us. As we continue to learn more about the symptoms and health effects of coronavirus, it is important that we continue to protect our health and prevent
further spread of coronavirus.”
Health officials say there are no reports of deaths in children associated with MIS-C in Riverside County. RUHS-Public Health advises parents to contact their primary care provider if they believe their child may be displaying systems of MIS-C and physicians to consider for MIS-C in patient children under 21 years old and to notify the department immediately of any cases.
