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A "serious epidemic" of potentially lethal virus infected several children in a pediatric center in New Jersey, which led to an investigation by state health officials.
Officials from the New Jersey Department of Health said children with compromised immune systems had recently been infected with an adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, Passaic County.
Officials however indicated that they could not confirm if any of the infected children had passed away or was currently being treated for the virus in hospitals, due to confidentiality issues of the medical data and the fact that they had been infected. investigation in progress. Nor would they say how many children have been affected by the epidemic.
Although adenovirus is a generally benign disease that mimics the symptoms of the flu and colds, it can cause serious complications for some people, especially those with weakened immune systems.
"Unfortunately, the particular adenovirus strain (# 7) of this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children whose immune systems are severely compromised," said the New Jersey Department of Health in a statement. "This strain has been particularly associated with the disease in collective living areas."
The spokesman added that "the combination of a worse strain of adenovirus and a fragile population has led to a more serious epidemic".
The cause of the outbreak remains unclear. The state Department of Health, however, said he had been informed by the center of some respiratory illnesses on October 9. He said his investigators went to the center during the weekend as part of their investigation.
"The department is monitoring the situation very closely and maintaining close relationships with clinical and administrative staff, providing advice on infection control and clean-up procedures," said the State Department of Health's Department of Health. its press release.
The Wanaque Center is a 227-bed, for-profit facility that, according to its website, works with "medically fragile children." It also serves as a retirement home for adults and a rehabilitation center for short and long-term care.
A Wanaque Center spokesperson did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adenoviruses are usually passed from one infected person to others through:
- Close personal contact (touch or shake hands).
- Cough and sneeze.
- Touch an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Spencer Kent can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the NJ.com site on Facebook.
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