Pediatric Inflammatory Syndrome in Europe and North America... WHO Urges Global Medical Staff to Stay Alert

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The World Health Organization (WHO) recently urged healthcare workers worldwide to remain vigilant regarding the pediatric inflammatory syndrome occurring in various regions including North America and Europe. This syndrome is suspected to be related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 15th (local time), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated during a virtual press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, "In recent weeks, several children in Europe and North America have been reported to be admitted to intensive care units with a multisystem inflammatory syndrome showing features similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome," adding, "Initial reports assume that this condition may be associated with COVID-19."

He continued, "It is important to rapidly and carefully characterize this syndrome and understand its causality," and mentioned that information on the pediatric inflammatory syndrome would be released later that evening.

However, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO's Emerging Diseases team, explained that some patients exhibiting symptoms of the pediatric inflammatory syndrome tested negative for COVID-19, indicating that further investigation into the relationship with COVID-19 is necessary.

WHO's warning about the pediatric inflammatory syndrome comes as related cases have surged recently in some countries. Deaths have been reported in the United Kingdom and France. In the UK, a 14-year-old boy with no underlying conditions died on the 13th, and in France, a 9-year-old child died on the 15th. Both children tested positive for COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.