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An epidemic of viral disease has killed six children and infected 12 others in a medical facility in New Jersey, state health officials said Tuesday.
Eighteen cases of adenovirus, including six fatalities, have been confirmed among pediatric residents at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, according to a statement from the New Jersey Department of Health. An investigation is underway, but the center has agreed not to admit new patients until the outbreak is considered complete.
Here is what you need to know about the adenovirus and the outbreak in New Jersey.
What is the adenovirus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the various adenovirus strains can cause various diseases, ranging from colds to neurological conditions. Diseases resulting from this family of viruses are usually quite minor, although some strains can cause more serious diseases. Adenovirus 7, which is believed to have caused the New Jersey epidemic, is generally associated with respiratory disease, although it is also associated with fever and conjunctivitis (pink eye), according to the CDC.
Viruses can be transmitted through close personal contact, coughing and sneezing, or through contact with contaminated objects. Some strains can also be transmitted through the water in which an infected person is found or stool, says the CDC.
What lies behind the New Jersey epidemic?
Wanaque is a residential facility that cares for "medically fragile" newborns, children and young adults, as well as the elderly and those in need of rehabilitation.. The pre-existing health problems of these patients, as well as their shared environment, may have facilitated the spread of adenovirus, according to the state's Department of Health.
"Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus (No. 7) in this epidemic is affecting medically fragile children whose immune systems are severely compromised," said the New Jersey Department of Health in its statement. "The strain has been particularly associated with the disease in community living conditions and may be more serious." People whose immune systems are weakened may also be carriers and transmit the virus after recovering from a disease, explains the CDC.
What are the other risks of adenovirus outbreaks?
Adenoviruses can cause various diseases themselves, but infections are also linked to another pediatric disease in the news: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a polio-like disease that can cause muscle weakness, paralysis and even death. It is often difficult to prove the cause of AFM, but this can apply to adenoviruses, polioviruses, enteroviruses, and West Nile virus, says the CDC. The CDC is currently investigating an increase in MFA cases, with 62 diagnoses confirmed so far this year in 22 states, including New Jersey.
What do we know about the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation?
Wanaque administrator Rowena Bautista said in a statement to TIME that the facility was working with local and national health authorities to stop the spread of the disease.
"The facility quickly informed all relevant government agencies when the virus was identified, including the New Jersey Department of Health, the Passaic County Department of Health, the Communicable Disease Service and the Centers for Disease. Control, "says the release. "The Wanaque Center continues to cooperate fully with these agencies and has sought their medical advice regarding the virus. As a result, facility staff diligently applied all available infection prevention and control measures to protect the health and safety of Wanaque Center residents.
State health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, but initial investigations revealed "minor hand washing deficiencies" in Wanaque. Non-Medicare-related investigations conducted in 2017 and 2016 revealed "infection prevention" issues in Wanaque, including failure to properly clean and disinfect surfaces and objects inside the building. establishment, inadequate storage of syringes and other tools, and inadequate hand-washing practices.
Wanaque was also sued $ 50 million earlier this year, when the estate of a 75-year-old patient with Alzheimer's disease accused the institution's staff, as well as the police local, careless and careless, reports NorthJersey.com.
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