Six children killed in New Jersey adenovirus outbreak

Eighteen cases of adenovirus have been confirmed among pediatric residents at a New Jersey nursing and rehabilitation center, according to New Jersey Department of Health officials. Six of these cases have resulted in deaths, they said.

According to the health department, the outbreak investigation at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation is ongoing, and the facility was directed to stop admission of new patients until this outbreak is over.

The health department observed “minor hand-washing deficiencies” at the Wanaque Center, and it is coordinating with center to promote infection control strategies.

Adenovirus, according to the CDC, can cause coldlike symptoms among those infected, as well as sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and conjunctivitis. Although vaccines are available to prevent adenovirus in the military, basic infection control strategies are the only prevention methods available for civilians. The agency recommends washing hands often with soap and water, not touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands and limiting contact with those who are ill.

“Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus — type 7 — in this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems,” Shereef Elnahal, MD, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, said in a statement. “The strain has been particularly associated with disease in communal living arrangements and can be more severe.” – by Katherine Bortz

References:

CDC: Adenoviruses. https://www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/index.html. Accessed October 24, 2018.

State of New Jersey Department of Health. Statement on adenovirus at Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. https://nj.gov/health/news/2018/approved/20181023a.shtml. Accessed October 24, 2018.