Training planned in the midst of viral outbreaks in New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ – Health officials in New Jersey announced on Monday that they are sending infection control teams to four long-term pediatric centers and a hospital to help them learn about viral outbreaks and bacterial that killed 10 people.

The teams will evaluate infection prevention practices and deploy them from November, said Dr Shereef Elnahal, European Commissioner for Health.

The response came amidst a fatal epidemic of adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation that claimed the lives of 9 people, most of whom are under 18 years old. the officials said.

"Epidemics in institutions are not always preventable, but in response to what we've seen in Wanaque, we are taking aggressive action to minimize the risk of occurrence among New Jersey's most vulnerable patients," Elnahal said. a statement.

Those affected in Wanaque center have ages ranging from toddlers to young adults.

The adenovirus usually poses little risk to healthy people and usually causes mild symptoms of colds or flu. Some strains also cause diarrhea and pinkeye.

The strain found in the rehabilitation center focus – type 7 – is among the most powerful types and sometimes causes more serious respiratory diseases, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

The first symptoms appeared on September 26 and the state was informed of an outbreak on October 9, officials said. The ministry announced Monday that 26 cases of adenovirus had been confirmed at the center.

The agency said the most recent person contracted the disease on or before Oct. 22, the date that remains the last day a patient has new symptoms.

The for-profit facility of 227 beds has a pediatric center and also supports elderly residents.

No new residents are admitted for the duration of the epidemic, which will only be declared when the center can spend four weeks without any new cases.

At the hospital, the state health department announced that it has found four cases of Acinetobacter baumannii since 1 October. The baby was carrying the bacteria and was transferred to another facility where he died.