Suryakant Jena

The Director of Public Health, Odisha, Niranjan Mishra has urged people to exercise caution in the wake of the rising cases of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) during the recovery phase of Covid-19.

Mishra told reporters, in response to queries, that Coronavirus-Disease 2019 has increased the risk of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children. 

"The illness was not prevalent in the first wave of Covid but during a resurgence in the second phase of the pandemic, the rise in cases of the virus infection also saw a simultaneous spike in the reports of MI syndrome in children," said Mishra.

The top health official stressed that during the recovery period following the Coronavirus infection, many children are coming to hospitals with complaints of MI Syndrome. Generally, symptoms of post-Covid complications like vomiting, headache, fever have been found in such patients. So parents of paediatric age groups should exercise as much caution as possible, he went on to explain.

Mishra further stated that one thing that can drastically reduce the chance of risk in cases of MI Syndrome in the paediatric age groups is early diagnosis and treatment. In case of delay in care, such complications have the potential to increase mortality and serious health issues, he added.

The Odisha government has asked the authorities to equip all major state-run hospitals and district healthcare institutions with sufficient medical oxygen supply, increase paediatric beds and other allied facilities. Arrangements are also underway to install more number of ICU and HDUs at hospitals, said Mishra.

As per experts, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. 

Meanwhile, Odisha on Thursday reported a total of 771 new cases of Covid-19 including 117 positives under the 18 year age category. 

scrollToTop