A virus kills six children and wounds dozens in a medical center in New Jersey

A virus outbreak at a medical center in the US state of New Jersey killed six children and injured dozens of others.

State officials confirmed Tuesday that there were 18 cases of adenococcal infections in children at the Wanaki Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause respiratory diseases, such as colds, eye infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.

In children, adenoviruses often cause infections of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.

The inspection team found "minor hand-washing problems" in the center, which also provides nursing and rehabilitation for adults and short-term.

It is unclear when and how the outbreak will begin.

Officials say that these viruses usually cause "mild illness", but that affected children are "medically weak".

The state is investigating what has happened and the center has closed its doors to new patients.

The Ministry of Health said the children concerned were "severely immunized", which made them more vulnerable to the virus.

"The spread of a worst strain of the virus among a vulnerable population is leading to a more serious epidemic of the virus," she said.

The center's children's service children suffer from a serious illness, many of whom are disabled, in a coma or unable to walk or talk, the North Jersey Record website said.

The identity of infected children has not been revealed.