MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A child in Wisconsin has died of a condition associated with COVID-19, state health officials said Friday.
The Department of Health Services said the death is the state’s first from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
DHS would only say that the child was less than 10 years old and lived in the southeastern part of the state.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 183 MIS-C cases reported in Wisconsin. The syndrome causes parts of the body to become inflamed and can affect the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs. Most MIS-C cases occur in children ages 3-12 who have been exposed to COVID-19. Warning signs include a lingering fever, trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that does not go away, confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or severe abdominal pain. Health officials recommend calling 911 if a child is showing these symptoms.
DHS says the best way to prevent MIS-C is to protect children against COVID-19. This includes vaccination for everyone 5 and older, and booster shots for those 12 and older. DHS also recommends following COVID-19 mitigation measures such as wearing face masks in indoor public places.
