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Australia; VIC
Expert Reaction
These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.
Dr Angus Stock from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has a PhD in Viral Immunology and specialises in researching immunotherapies for Kawasaki Disease
Q: What is Kawasaki Disease and what are its links to COVID-19?
"Paediatricians are noticing that a number of COVID-19 infected children are presenting to intensive care units with a range of unusual and varied symptoms. These include prolonged fever, abdominal pain, low oxygen levels (or shock), rashes and conjunctivitis. Closer clinical examination has also revealed that many of these children have developed inflammation within their hearts.
These symptoms are reminiscent of what is observed in a rare childhood disease called Kawasaki Disease. This normally affects children between 0 and 5 years of age and the typical symptoms include prolonged fever, rash, conjunctivitis, irritability, swollen lymph nodes and changes of the oral cavity (most notably a ‘strawberry tongue’). Some children with Kawasaki Disease will also develop inflammation of the heart, characterised by inflammation of the coronary arteries.
This overlap in many (but not all) of these symptoms, has prompted many to speculate that COVID-19 may have triggered Kawasaki Disease in these children."
Q: How rare is the disease in Australia?
"There are around 10 cases of Kawasaki Disease per 100,000 children in Australia. This translates to about 300 cases per year."
Q: With a number of Australian states reopening schools – or looking to shortly – should there be any concerns?
"The possibility of a link between COVID-19 and Kawasaki Disease is an important consideration, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of these children. However, even if there is a link, it is likely that only a very small fraction of children who are infected with COVID-19 will develop Kawasaki Disease like symptoms. So, the risk is probably very small and should not impede the reopening of schools."
Q: What is the difficulty in proving a link between Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19?
"The exact cause(s) of Kawasaki Disease have eluded Researchers for over 50 years. This is in part, because it is likely that many viruses and bacteria (possibly including COVID-19) can activate this syndrome. In addition, there is an important genetic contribution, and it is likely that only a small fraction of COVID-19 infected children will ever develop this this condition. However, to formalise this link it will be vital to continue to evaluate whether children who are infected with COVID-19 develop these Kawasaki Disease like symptoms, and vice versa."
