23rd case confirmed in a virus outbreak that killed 7 children in a New Jersey medical facility

Four new cases of adenovirus in a long-term care facility for children in New Jersey have been confirmed, bringing to 23 the total number of young patients infected, health officials said Friday.

The New Jersey Department of Health said additional laboratory tests confirmed new cases at the Wanaque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Haskell, Passaic County. The medical institution houses the pediatric center; the seven deaths occurred in 18 infected children.

The latest update follows the announcement of the death on Wednesday of a seventh child being treated in the facility, the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, County Passaic.

The medical institution houses the pediatric center; the seven deaths came, which was at the time, 18 children infected.

The medical center is battling a "serious outbreak" of adenovirus, a family of viruses that could otherwise cause mild illness, according to the state's Department of Health.

The facility has been instructed to no longer admit new patients until the end of the outbreak and that they are in full compliance.

On Thursday, the Wanaque Center set up a 24/7 helpline for families affected by the epidemic, which has already claimed the lives of seven children.

"It is an active investigation into an adenovirus epidemic, so it is possible that laboratory tests are confirming new cases." A staff member from the Department of Communicable Diseases Department of Health is on-site and is monitoring the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide assistance with laboratory analysis and expertise, "said the State Department of Health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause various diseases. Viruses cause cold-like symptoms, sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and a pink eye. Adenoviruses can cause serious complications to some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, breathing problems and heart disease.

This is the case at the Wanaque Center, health officials said.

"Unfortunately, the particular adenovirus strain (# 7) of this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children whose immune systems are severely compromised," said Tuesday the New Jersey Department of Health in a statement. "This strain has been particularly associated with the disease in collective living areas."

According to the CDC, adenoviruses are usually transmitted from an infected person to another person through: close personal contact, for example by touching or shaking hands; in the air while coughing and sneezing; or by touching an object or surface with adenoviruses, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

The state health ministry said it was informed of the 9 October outbreak. On Sunday, state health officials discovered abnormalities in handwashing.

The I-Team has discovered inspection reports for the center dating from 2015. During this period, the facility was cited for 14 offenses, particularly in the area of ​​infection control.

The state's health department is following the situation "very closely" and has been in contact with the center's staff "providing advice on infection control and cleaning procedures."

The Wanaque Center is a for-profit facility that, according to its website, works with "medically fragile children" of newborns at 22 years of age. The center also serves as a retirement home for adults and a rehabilitation center for short and long-term care.