#13,666
Despite enhanced infection control efforts (see NJ Health Department to Deploy Infection Control Response Team to Pediatric Long-Term Care Facilities) new cases of Adenovirus 7 continue to be reported at the Wanaque Nursing Center and Adenovirus 3 at the Voorhees facility.
Since my last update (as of 11/8) 3 more patients at the Wanaque center have been diagnosed (ttl=33), and 2 more at the Voorhees Pediatic center (ttl=8).
The number of fatalities remains at 10 (all at the Wanaque facility); unchanged since Nov 1st.Adenoviruses - of which there are more than 4 dozen serotypes - are a common cause of (generally mild) respiratory illnesses in both adults and children. While influenza gets most of our attention, adenoviruses - much like rhinoviruses, human metapneumovirus, RSV, parainfluenza viruses & coronaviruses - can, and sometimes do, cause serious illness.
Given the extended (2-14 day) incubation period for adenovirus infections, it is conceivable that some of the recent cases were exposed as far back as late October.
From the NJ DOH Website:
Adenovirus
Adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause a range of illnesses. They can cause cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, and pink eye (conjunctivitis). You can get an adenovirus infection at any age. People with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory or cardiac disease are more likely than others to get very sick from an adenovirus infection.
The New Jersey Department of Health is actively investigating two outbreaks at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell and Voorhees Pediatric Facility that appear to be unrelated at this time.
While flu activity remains low across the country, many respiratory viruses flourish in the summer and fall, making it a good idea to practice rigorous `flu hygiene' (washing hands frequently, covering coughs, staying home if sick, etc.) year-round.Strain typing has confirmed the adenovirus cases at Voorhees are Type 3. This is a different strain from the one that caused a severe outbreak at the Wanaque Center (Type 7). Type 3 is typically associated with a milder illness than Type 7, however it is still sometimes associated with severe illness and even death.
