7 children died and more and more questions about the reaction to the viral epidemic

The United States Department of Health sent a full-time disease control specialist to the facility where seven children died as a result of a viral outbreak, with the goal of ending to the deadly respiratory infections that swept the neat unit.

At the same time, officials said they were exploring ways to strengthen infection control rules and regulations – not just at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, where the epidemic adenovirus occurred – but in similar health facilities.

At a press conference in Wanaque late in the day, Gov. Phil Murphy said his administration was "obsessed" with trying to find out what had happened.

"We are completely devastated by this knowledge that seven precious young children have lost their lives," he said. "We do not have all the answers, but we are working to get them."

Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal, who attended the afternoon information meeting, said that he also planned to meet privately with the families of the victims. the virus, which concerned children as young as toddlers.

"It's a tragedy," Elnahal said in an interview earlier in the day. "It's extremely upsetting, considering the patients involved – they are children."

These included immunocompromised children, many of whom had respiratory problems, and some with intellectual disabilities who were all considered "medically frail". A number of them were under guardianship.

"They are particularly vulnerable," said the commissioner. "It was heartbreaking for me, it was heartbreaking for the governor."

State officials learned for the first time that they were aware of the outbreak on October 9, after being alerted by the facility.

It was released earlier this week, after NJ. Advance Media received an anonymous message stating that there had been several deaths in the facility. However, neither the Ministry of Health nor the health services would have confirmed these deaths until Tuesday.

The authorities have since divulged 18 cases of adenovirus, a typically benign disease that simulates symptoms similar to those of the flu and colds, which can cause serious complications to some people. people – especially those whose immune systems are weakened. Seven people died in the center of Wanaque, others are still seriously ill.

Wanaque Center is a 227-bed, for-profit facility located in northern Pbadaic County that includes a retirement home, a rehabilitation center and a pediatric center. – and long-term care. The establishment has a license for 92 pediatric beds. It was banned to admit new patients until the end of the outbreak, the department said.

Elnahal would not have clarified whether the notification to the state was prior to one of the deaths, due to confidentiality rules.

Adenovirus is not a disease that requires notification to the state, although any health facility should alert the Ministry of Health if an infectious disease starts to spread from significantly

The commissioner said that the state is seeing hundreds of respiratory outbreaks every year. "This happened in a place with many vulnerable patients," he said.

Several lawmakers however raised questions about the state's initial response to the epidemic and the need for change. "

Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlebad, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Social Services and Seniors, worries about the long wait before parents are informed, as well as the time it takes took the state to get to the Wanaque Center. learned that there were sick children.

Paula Costigan, a resident of Boonton whose son is in long-term care at the Wanaque Center, told NJ Advance Media that she had learned of the existence of the school. epidemic than more than a week later.

"They called me on the 18th to report that he had a fever and that they were sending him to the hospital," she said. .

Vitale stated that he did not wish to overreact, but that he was wondering about the possibility of a breakdown. in notifications, as well as in response to the spreading epidemic.

"What (the facility) told them and what was their response?" He asked. "How did it spread as quickly and why did they wait so long to inform parents?"

Vitale called for an increase in the number of unannounced inspections in all other institutions of the state taking care of children and adults in danger. [19659026] MPs Gerry Cardinale, Holly Schepisi and Robert Auth, all Republican lawmakers who represent the district where the Wanaque Center is located, also said that the state must take action.

"We are shocked and heartbroken, "they said." This deadly viral epidemic was clearly a preventable tragedy, and state officials must take immediate steps to ensure justice for families forced to endure the worst nightmare of their lives. " each of their parents – the loss of a child. The deceased children already had a high risk of infection. They needed more care and supervision;

The Public Health Commissioner announced that he planned to strengthen surveillance at the Wanaque Center, with the establishment of a specialist communicable diseases on-site, which, he said, will remain on the spot until the end of the epidemic. This could take many more.

"This will continue as long as people continue to be sick," he said of a statement from a home, which would only be lifted four weeks after the last case of respiratory symptoms. 19659002] Representatives of disease control and prevention centers are already on site and badisting the state.

The CDC helps the state to gain expertise in infection control, said Elnahal, while performing tests to confirm the type of adenovirus. According to the CDC, the strain affecting children, whose names have not been revealed, is usually badociated with an acute respiratory illness.

In addition, the state conducted a surprise inspection in the center of Wanaque. on weekends, documenting what is called "minor hand washing deficiencies", although Elnahal doubted that he plays an important role in the spread of the epidemic.

The Commissioner is concerned at the present time by the clinical status of confirmed cases. Make sure the state is aware of any worsening of the situation.

You can contact Spencer Kent at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent . Find Find NJ.com on Facebook.

You can contact Ted Sherman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL . Facebook: @ TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook