A Virus Outbreak Has Killed 6 Children at a New Jersey Health Center. Here ’s What to Know

A viral illness outbreak has killed six children and infected 12 others at a medical facility in New Jersey, state health officials confirmed Tuesday. Eighteen cases of adenovirus, six of them fatal, have been confirmed among pediatric residents at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, according to a statement from the New Jersey Department of Health. An investigation is ongoing, but the center has agreed not to admit new patients until the outbreak is deemed over. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement Tuesday that state and local health officials are working to contain the outbreak. “I am heartbroken by the news that several children have lost their lives in an adenovirus outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and pray for the full recovery of the other children impacted,” Murphy said. “I have been briefed by [Commissioner of Health] Dr. Elnahal, who has assured me that the Department of Health has recommended vital measures to enhance protections against the further spread of infection and will continue its active on-site surveillance.” Here’s what to know about adenovirus and the outbreak in New Jersey. What is adenovirus? The various strains of adenovirus can cause a variety of illnesses, ranging from common colds to neurologic conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Illnesses resulting from this family of viruses are usually fairly minor, al...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized healthytime New Jersey onetime Source Type: news