Tenth child dies in NJ medical facility after virus outbreak: Department of Health

A tenth child died Wednesday in a medical center affected by a viral epidemic, announced the New Jersey Department of Health.

Nine more children from the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Passaic County have died recently after being exposed to an epidemic of adenovirus in the center.

A total of 27 children were sick during the outbreak, said the Ministry of Health. A staff member at the school, who has since recovered, has also fallen ill during the epidemic.

The New Jersey Department of Health said additional laboratory tests confirmed additional cases.

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.

The Wanaque Center has set up a 24/7 help line for families affected by the epidemic.

"The loss of these young lives is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with the affected families," said Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal. "We are working closely with the facility to monitor respiratory disease and ensure that all infection control protocols are continually monitored. We have also begun discussions with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on standards for these facilities. "

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.

According to the CDC, adenoviruses are usually transmitted from one infected person to others through close personal contact such as hands 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 Ministry of Health said it was informed of the outbreak on 9 October. Public health officials later discovered abnormalities in hand washing.

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.