The Outbreak of Adenovirus That Killed Dozens
Seven children at a healthcare facility have died in an outbreak of adenovirus, a virus that can cause cold and flu-like symptoms, according to health officials. An additional 11 children at the facility, called the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, have also fallen ill with adenovirus, according to a statement from the Department of Health. The facility is not admitting any new patients until the outbreak ends, the statement said.
Adenoviruses are prolific viruses that can cause a variety of illnesses, including upper respiratory infections — such as colds — as well as pneumonia, gastrointestinal illness, conjunctivitis and even urinary tract infections.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, although serious illness with adenovirus is not common, the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Still, people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe illness from adenovirus, according to the CDC.
The children at the Center fit into this category. "This outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems," the statement said.
Dr. Amelia, a senior scholar at the University Center for Health Security, who is not involved in the outbreak investigation, agreed that the deaths in this outbreak may be partially explained by the fact that the children had underlying medical conditions that predisposed them to severe infection.
But Amelia noted that deaths from adenovirus may not be as uncommon as we think. Adenovirus can be a cause of severe pneumonia, but "often times this person got pneumonia, and they never figure out" what caused it, Amelia said.
Adenoviruses are prolific viruses that can cause a variety of illnesses, including upper respiratory infections — such as colds — as well as pneumonia, gastrointestinal illness, conjunctivitis and even urinary tract infections.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, although serious illness with adenovirus is not common, the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Still, people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe illness from adenovirus, according to the CDC.
The children at the Center fit into this category. "This outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems," the statement said.
Dr. Amelia, a senior scholar at the University Center for Health Security, who is not involved in the outbreak investigation, agreed that the deaths in this outbreak may be partially explained by the fact that the children had underlying medical conditions that predisposed them to severe infection.
But Amelia noted that deaths from adenovirus may not be as uncommon as we think. Adenovirus can be a cause of severe pneumonia, but "often times this person got pneumonia, and they never figure out" what caused it, Amelia said.
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