Hundreds of children in the UK and US have been affected by a rare inflammatory disease linked to coronavirus.
A number of children have also been diagnosed with the disease – which can cause symptoms similar to toxic shock syndrome – elsewhere in Europe, according to reports.
Notably last month, NHS doctors were told to look out for a rare but dangerous reaction in children.
This was prompted by eight children becoming ill in London, including a 14-year-old who died.
Doctors said all eight children had similar symptoms when they were admitted to Evelina London Children’s Hospital, including a high fever, rash, red eyes, swelling and general pain.
Most of the children had no major lung or breathing problems, although seven were put on a ventilator to help improve heart and circulation issues, reports added.
Doctors are describing it as a ‘new phenomenon’ similar to Kawasaki disease shock syndrome – a rare condition that mainly affects children under the age of five.
Symptoms include a rash, swollen glands in the neck and dry and cracked lips.
But this new syndrome is also affecting older children up to the age of 16, with a minority experiencing serious complications.