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5 adenovirus cases confirmed at Voorhees facility

NJBIZ - 11/9/2018

The New Jersey Department of Health reported Monday that laboratory tests have confirmed another case of adenovirus among pediatric patients as part of an ongoing outbreak investigation at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility.The New Jersey Department of Health reported Monday that laboratory tests have confirmed another case of adenovirus among pediatric patients as part of an ongoing outbreak investigation at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility.

Although identification of the exact strain of this adenovirus case will not be availablefor several days, Center for Disease Control and Prevention testing has identified that the adenovirus strain of the first four cases at Voorhees as Type 3. This is a different strain from the one that caused a severe outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation that officials say is responsible for 10 deaths, according to the health department.

“The department and local health partners have been working with the facility to provide infection control recommendations and identify other possible illnesses since the facility notified the department of a case of adenovirus in a resident on Oct. 26,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said in a statement.

He added the range of dates for the onset of the illness extends from Oct. 20-29.

The investigation at Voorhees is ongoing, and lab tests could confirm additional cases. When the department receives additional test results, Elnahal said updates would be provided.

Adenovirus is a respiratory virus which can cause mild or serious illness, though serious illness is less common.Adenovirus symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

On Oct. 24, the facility sent out a general notification to all families who had children in the Voorhees facility about the Wanaque outbreak. Another letter, issued Oct. 31, notified families of the outbreak at Voorhees and the prevention measures being taken. The facility said it will notify parents of any changes in the status of their children.

Two inspectors with the department’s Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations were at the facility Oct. 30. Preliminary findings revealed no infection control issues and no citations were issued.

In addition, a Department of Health team of infection control experts and epidemiologists is visiting University Hospital in Newark and four pediatric long-term care facilities this month including Voorhees to conduct training and assessments of infection control procedures. The team visited the Wanaque Center on Thursday and University Hospital on Friday. Copyright 2018 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.

CREDIT: Anthony Vecchione