adenovirus(Photo: Electron micrograph in colorized transmission of the adenovirus.)

Six children from a medically fragile long term care facility in New Jersey have died as a result of a serious epidemic of adenovirus, the Department of Health's health department said Tuesday. State.

The Wanaque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center "has been instructed to no longer admit new patients until the end of the epidemic and that they are in full compliance," said the department in a statement.

Twelve other children also fell ill during the outbreak, and the department described it as "an ongoing investigation into the epidemic".

Adenoviruses are common viruses that affect the lining of the respiratory tract, intestines, eyes or urinary tract and are responsible for certain colds, coughs, sore throats, pinkeyes and diarrhea.

Usually, the diseases are benign, but for people whose immune systems are weakened, they can be life threatening.

Department of Health investigators returned to the premises Tuesday after a visit Sunday that revealed "minor deficiencies in handwashing". On October 9, the state was informed of respiratory diseases at the center.

The centrally identified adenovirus strain, No. 7, typically causes acute respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, croup and bronchitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

More than 60 pediatric patients at the center use ventilators.

"Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus in this epidemic is affecting medically fragile children whose immune systems are severely compromised," the department said. "The combination of a worse strain of adenovirus and a fragile population has led to a more serious epidemic."

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Rowena Bautista, the center's administrator, said, "the facility staff diligently applied all available infection prevention and control measures" to protect the health and safety of residents.

The center immediately informed all relevant government agencies, including the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the County of Passaic Health Department.

"The Wanaque Center continues to cooperate fully with these agencies," she said, "and sought their medical advice to fight the virus."

The center belongs to a private company, Wanaque Nursing & Rehabilitation, whose leaders are listed as Daniel Bruckstein and Eugene Ehrenfeld. A message left at their desk was not immediately returned.

The children in the center are severely disabled. Some live in a coma and many will never walk and never speak. For most of them, the center is their permanent home and some live there from birth to 21 years old.

The center is authorized to provide long-term care to 92 children and 135 adults. Many have become residents because of neuromuscular and respiratory problems caused by genetic problems, accidents at birth or abuse of which they have been victims.

The CDC began tracking the outbreaks of adenovirus infection in 2014 after a major Oregon outbreak of the same type as that identified in Wanaque.

Outbreaks of the virus among military recruits were once common, but they declined after the development of a vaccine. However, the vaccine is not administered to non-military populations. Viruses are difficult to remove with common disinfectants and can be detected on surfaces such as door handles and IV poles.

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