Adenovirus At South Jersey Facility Is Not Severe, Officials Say

VOORHEES, NJ - An adenovirus outbreak at a South Jersey pediatric facility doesn’t have the same roots as an outbreak that has now killed 10 children in Passaic County, according to officials.

Four cases of adenovirus have been confirmed at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility, according to county officials. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is awaiting additional laboratory test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the cases, but preliminary tests have already ruled out Type 7, which caused the severe outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, according to officials.

The facility stopped taking new admissions on Oct. 29, three days after the first case was confirmed on Oct. 26. Dates of illness onset range between Oct. 20 and 27. It is still accepting readmissions. It can separate sick, exposed and well individuals into separate areas safely and quickly, officials said.

“The Camden County Health Department has inspected the Voorhees Pediatric Facility twice since being notified to ensure that all protocols prescribed by the state are being followed,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “The Voorhees Pediatric Facility has been fully cooperative throughout this process.”

Two inspectors with the Department’s Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations were at the facility on Oct. 30. Preliminary findings revealed no infection control issues, and no citations were issued.

It has also been cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces, and reinforcing appropriate handwashing techniques. The facility is also providing daily updates to public health officials regarding illnesses in the facility.

Adenovirus is a respiratory virus which can cause mild or serious illness, though serious illness is less common. Symptoms may include common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, pink eye, fever, bladder inflammation or infection, inflammation of the stomach and intestines and neurological disease.

The strain of the virus identified in Voorhees is different than the Type 7 identified at Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, where 27 children and one adult have been impacted by the disease. There are more than 50 types of the disease, according to the World Health Organization.

“The pediatric patients in Voorhees do not have the severity of illnesses we’re seeing among residents at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “While we cannot release private medical information, these patients in Voorhees are not in critical condition.”

Read more here: 10th Child At Wanaque Facility Dies In Adenovirus Outbreak

The facility notified families of the outbreak and the prevention measures being taken on Wednesday. The facility said it will notify parents of any changes in the status of their children.

“With any report of an outbreak of respiratory illness in a facility, public health officials collect data to confirm and characterize it as an outbreak,” Elnahal said. “State and local public health officials have been working closely with Voorhees on this adenovirus outbreak.”

See related: 27 Kids Now Sickened In Viral Outbreak At Wanaque Facility

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