River Ness Bridge will be lit up tonight to raise awareness about Kawasaki Disease
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Ness Bridge will be lit up in red tonight to mark International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.
The disease causes blood vessels to become inflamed, almost always in young children. It is one the leading causes of heart disease in children, but is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness.
Rachael McCormack is founder of Societi, the UK foundation for Kawasaki disease which raises awareness and provides support to people with the illness.
She said: ‘We are delighted that Ness Bridge – an iconic regional landmark will illuminate the sky red for Kawasaki Disease awareness on the most important date in our calendar – International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.
"Despite Kawasaki disease being increasingly common, low public awareness means it’s often initially misdiagnosed, putting children’s hearts at risk of lifetime damage.
"We must change this and stop Kawasaki disease having the devastating effect it has on far too many children today. We are really very grateful to Highland Council for recognising the importance of getting Kawasaki disease known."
Paediatric cardiologist Professor Robert Tulloh, a Societi Trustee and UK leading expert in Kawasaki disease said: “We know early diagnosis and rapid treatment are the single biggest things we can do right now to change outcomes for children in the UK.
"To achieve this we need more people to know Kawasaki disease and for doctors to consider it as a possible diagnosis in any child with a persistent, unexplained high fever.”
Kawasaki disease is fatal in up to 3 per cent of cases if not treated and about a quarter of all children affected will go on to have lifelong heart damage.
Societi research indicates about 1000 UK hospital admissions for Kawasaki disease will happen this year.
In the UK today, children’s risk of heart damage from Kawasaki disease is among the highest in the world.
