Six children were killed by an adenovirus epidemic in an American health center

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A viral outbreak in a long-term care facility in New Jersey, USA, has killed six children and infected more than a dozen.

A state official confirmed that there were a total of 18 adenovirus cases among pediatric patients at the Wanaque Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey on Tuesday.

The adenovirus usually causes a "minor illness", but children affected by the virus make them "medically fragile," local officials said.

An investigation into this case is underway and the treatment center is now closed to new patients.

Children who contract the virus "are seriously ill," making them more vulnerable to the virus, said the Ministry of Health.

"The combination of a worsening of tension due to the presence of the adenovirus virus and a fragile situation worsens the epidemic," he added.

Health facilities in Haskell are privately owned. The owner did not immediately respond to requests for interviews from the BBC.

When and how does the virus start to infect?

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the state-designated authority opened an investigation Sunday and continued Tuesday.

On Sunday, the inspection team discovered "a minor error in the handwashing method" at the treatment center – which also provides nursing and rehabilitation services to adults in the short and long term .

We still do not know when and how the epidemic started.

The local news site NewJersey.com announced that the head of medical care had sent a letter to patients' relatives regarding the October 18 outbreak.

However, local officials only confirmed the details of the virus on Tuesday.

According to a report from the North Jersey Record, children placed in child care would be seriously ill – many suffer from a physical disability, are in a coma, or can not walk or talk.

Children affected by this virus have not yet been identified.

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What is the adenovirus?

Adenovirus is a type of virus that is usually spread through close contact (such as touching an infected surface or shaking hands), coughing or sneezing, said the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). .

Under certain conditions, different adenoviruses can cause various diseases, including cold symptoms, bronchitis, pneumonia and diarrhea.

Serious complications are rare, but the CDC notes that people with "weak immune systems, respiratory or cardiac diseases" are at higher risk of adenovirus infection.

Officials said the tense situation also affected children living in the clinic, which would "worsen" the situation.