Six Children Die After Viral Outbreak at NJ Nursing Facility

Six children in a long-term care facility in New Jersey have died at the hands of the adenovirus. The Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hackensack, New Jersey is currently restricted from opening their doors to new patients until the viral outbreak has been taken care of.

The children at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation is the permanent home for some of their residents who are severely disabled. Some residents will live there from the time they are born up until the age of 21, when they will be moved to an adult unit.

Often times, these young patients have no contact with their families, who may be incarcerated for violent crimes or unable to see their children due to a history of domestic violence and abuse, such as shaking their babies.

While the adenovirus sounds intimidating, it is actually the cause for common colds, pink eye and coughing. Those who have a compromised immune system, like those residents already suffering with respiratory issues and using the support of a ventilator can die from this virus.

The Health Department for New Jersey reported “minor hand-washing deficiencies” during an investigation. The state was then alerted to the respiratory illnesses that were spreading throughout Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

All of the children living at the facility were under the age of 18, while another 12 have been affected by the viral outbreak.