Seventh child dies of virus outbreak in US facility

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON

A seventh child has died from an adenovirus outbreak in a health center in the state of New Jersey, officials said Wednesday.

"The child’s death is among 18 confirmed cases of adenovirus among medically fragile children at the facility," the state’s health department said in a statement.

The Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation is not allowed to accept new patients until the outbreak ends and there are no more signs of the virus.

Adenoviruses are a group of virus strands that can cause a wide range of illnesses from cold-like symptoms to bronchitis or conjunctivitis, otherwise known as pink eye.

The viruses can be spread by close contact with others, coughing and sneezing, or lack of hand sanitation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

This particular strain, however, affects children with weak immune systems, according to the N.J. Department of Health.

"The strain has been particularly associated with disease in communal living arrangements and can be more severe," it said.