11th Child Dies Following Viral Outbreak At Wanaque Facility

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — An 11th child died of adenovirus following an outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell.

The child died Thursday night at a North Jersey hospital, the state Department of Health said in a news release. The child was among 34 pediatric patients diagnosed with the adenovirus since Sept. 26. (See related: 10th Kid Dies, 28th Sickened From Adenovirus In Wanaque Facility)

"The grief from the loss of a child is overwhelming and we extend our deepest sympathies to this family and all of the families who have had to endure these terrible losses," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal.

The state Wednesday prohibited new patients from being admitted to rehab facility due to "serious infection control deficiencies" cited in ongoing inspections, the department stated in a news release. It will remain in effect until the center complies with directives set forth by the state.

State health officials were notified of the virus at the facility Oct. 9. The state began monitoring the situation Oct. 10.

A report released by the New Jersey Department of Health last week revealed lapses in hand-washing and infection control during a surprise inspection earlier this month. (See related: Report Details Lapses In Care At Wanaque Facility Where 9 Kids Died)

Nurses and other personnel either did not wash their hands in between touching equipment attached to patients and themselves or other equipment, nor did some wash their hands for the required 20 seconds they should have after doing so, the report stated.

Adenoviruses are typically a family of viruses that often cause mild illness, particularly in young children. But this particular strain of adenovirus (#7) is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems.

Adenoviruses can cause mild to severe illness, though serious illness is less common. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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