Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

Study: New virus possibly linked to mysterious childhood illnesses

Infection Control Monitor, January 21, 2005

Researchers at Yale University found that a new virus related to SARS could cause certain childhood illnesses, the Journal of Infectious Diseases reports.

Like SARS, the new virus is a coronavirus, which causes common colds and animal diseases. The Yale team termed it the "New Haven" coronavirus.

Researchers concluded that the new virus may be linked to a mysterious childhood ailment known as Kawasaki disease, which is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries.

In their study, researchers tested 895 sick children under age 5. They found that 79 of them had the New Haven coronavirus. Their symptoms included a fever, cough, runny nose, and low blood oxygen levels.

In 11 children that have Kawasaki disease, eight of them tested positive for the New Haven cornoavirus, researchers found.

Most Popular