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Health official reports "severe outbreak" of potentially life-threatening virus that infected children at medical center, NJ DOH says
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NJ officials said children with compromised immune systems were recently infected with adenovirus at the Wanaque Center
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Adenoviruses are common and may cause a range of illnesses, according to the CDC, but pose danger to those with weakened immune systems
New Jersey health officials are investigating a "severe outbreak" of a potentially life-threatening virus at a health center, according to the state's Department of Health.
New Jersey Department of Health officials were recently infected with adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, Passaic County. The medical institution houses the Pediatric Center.
Health officials did not confirm the number of children in the hospital or hospital, because of medical privacy and the ongoing investigation.
Adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause a range of illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The viruses causes cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, and pink eye. However, adenoviruses can pose serious complications to certain people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, respiratory issues and cardiac disease.
According to the CDC, adenoviruses are typically spread from an infected person to others through: through the air by coughing and sneezing; by touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
"Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus (# 7) in this disease is medically fragile in children with severely compromised immune systems," the New Jersey Department of Health in a statement. "This strain has been particularly associated with disease in communal living facilities."
The combination of a severe strain of adenovirus with a fragile population, the DOH says.
According to the DOH, investigators visited the facility over the weekend as part of their probe.
The State Department of Health further states that it is monitoring the situation "very closely" and "providing contact with the staff at the center".
The Wanaque Center is a for-profit facility which, according to its website, works with "medically fragile children" from newborn to 22 years of age. The center also serves as an adult nursing home and rehabilitation center for short-and-long-term care.
A spokesperson for the Wanaque Center.
The cause of the outbreak remains unclear.
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