Acute Communicable Disease Control

County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, #212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
Email:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov

Kawasaki Disease

What is Kawasaki Disease?
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology that primarily affects children younger than 5 years of age. KD was first described in Japan by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, and the first cases outside of Japan were reported in Hawaii in 1976. In Los Angeles County, surveillance for Kawasaki Syndrome ended in 2011.

What are the signs and symptoms of KD?
KD is characterized by:

fever

rash

swelling of the hands and feet

irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes

swollen lymph glands in the neck

irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat

What are serious complications of KD?
Serious complications of KD include coronary artery dilatations and aneurysms. KD is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in the United States.

How is KD treated?
The standard treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin substantially decreases the development of these coronary artery abnormalities.

Additional Resources

LAC DPH Health Alert (5-12-20): Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19 Kawasaki Syndrome in Los Angeles County: ACDC Annual Morbidity Reports 2006-2011 Tables of Select Notifiable Diseases in Los Angeles County, 2011: Kawasaki Syndrome highlighted CDC: About Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki Disease Foundation: Kawasaki Disease 101

KidsHealth for Parents: Kawasaki Disease