One of two young Boston children diagnosed with the rare and potentially deadly meningococcal disease is on life support, his mother tells Boston 25 News.
The Boston Public Health Commission and Mayor Marty Walsh announced the two cases on Wednesday. Officials say both cases have been associated with day care centers specializing in serving children experiencing homelessness. It is not known if the two cases are connected.
>> DPH: 2 children diagnosed with meningococcal disease were at local day cares
Twenty-month-old Lucas Cook is in a medically-induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children's Hospital after contracting the disease.
"He could come out with brain damage or kidney damage, he could lose limbs because of the blood-clotting issues or he very well could lose his life because of this," said Lucas' mother Kimberly Cook.
The disease is highly infectious and can lead to meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord. According to the commission, the disease is spread through saliva and requires close contact.
"It's an airborne thing, and they say he could've picked it up anywhere," said Cook.
Lucas was last at the Horizons day care in Dorchester on Oct. 11. He was admitted to the hospital two days after getting sick.
"Very rapidly his health decreased he got a purple rash that spread very quickly all over his body starting seeing sepsis and blood infection," said Cook. "I knew something else was wrong even though it seemed like a normal sickness, so if you suspect anything, any little bit different, get them to the hospital don't listen to anybody else just get them there. It's better to be safe than sorry."
The family has set up a GoFundMe for Lucas' care.
Officials say any people known to have been in close contact with the children have received antibiotics.
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