10 Things About The Adenovirus Outbreak That's Killed 8 NJ Kids

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Another child has died of an adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Wanaque, state officials announced Tuesday. The fatality brings the total number of victims to eight. Here are 10 questions we've answered about the outbreak, adenovirus, and the facility.

How many children are sick with the virus?

The eight deaths are among 23 confirmed cases of the virus among "medically fragile" children at the facility, state health officials said.

The facility is not taking new patients until the outbreak ends, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said.

What are adenoviruses and what are the symptoms?

Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a range of illness.

They can cause:

• Cold-like symptoms
• Sore throat
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

People with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory or cardiac disease are more likely than others to get very sick from an adenovirus infection. Elnahal said Monday that children "with compromised immune systems" died of the infections.

The particular strain of adenovirus at the facility, No. 7, is associated with disease in communal living arrangements and can be more severe, the state Department of Health said.(More information about adenoviruses is available on the state DOH and CDC's websites.)

Who gets adenoviruses?

Anyone can get infected with an adenovirus at any age, but infections happen in children more than adults, the DOH said. People with weak immune systems or respiratory or cardiac disease are more likely than others to get very sick from an adenovirus infection.

How are adenoviruses spread?

Close personal contact, including touching or shaking hands, through the air by coughing or sneezing, and touching something with the virus on it then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Is the virus often fatal?

No, the CDC has said. Most adenovirus infections are mild. However, the strain of adenovirus seen in this outbreak is "associated with communal living arrangements and known to cause severe illness," the state Department of Health said in a statement Monday morning. The state and the CDC are investigating the outbreak together.

How can outbreaks be prevented?

Adenoviruses are resistant to many common disinfectant products and can remain infectious for long periods on surfaces and objects.

Elnahal said multiple teams are at the facility conducting inspections and working with staff to ensure proper infection control protocols.

What is being done to prevent more kids from getting sick at the facility?

A DOH inspection team was at facility Sunday and personnel were there Monday and Tuesday. The team on Sunday found "minor hand washing deficiencies and the Health Department is continuing to work closely with the facility on infection control issues."

Is there an adenovirus vaccine?

There is an adenovirus vaccine, but it is only administered to members of the military, not the public. It only protects people from adenovirus types four and seven. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2011.

Have any other adenovirus outbreaks occurred in New Jersey?

A severe adenovirus outbreak that killed three people and infected nearly 80 more occurred last year, NJ.com reported. The outbreak occurred at an addiction treatment facility. Two men and a woman, between 54 and 64 years old, died of the disease.

Have there been other outbreaks of the virus in N.J.?

Yes, there was another severe adenovirus outbreak last year that killed three people and infected nearly 80 others at an unnamed addiction treatment facility in New Jersey.

From December 2009 to July 2010, three separate adenovirus outbreaks involving about 300 people were documented, the CDC reported. All the outbreaks were related to pink eye. In all three outbreaks, patients visited an ophthalmology clinic or were linked to a clinic that was associated with that facility.

What is the Wanaque Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing?

The Wanaque Center is a professional nursing home, rehabilitation center, and pediatrics center that offers short- and long-term care in a secure and caring environment from newborns and adults up to 22 years old, according to its website.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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