TRENTON, NJ --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.
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.
| Cases associated with outbreak |
Wanaque Center for |
Voorhees Pediatric Facility |
| Illness onset range | 9/26 - 11/12 | 10/20 - 12/10 |
| Residents | 36* | 17 |
| Staff | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 17 |
| Deaths | 11 | 0 |
*This is an additional case that was confirmed based on a laboratory test done on 12/3. It does NOT represent a new case of illness.
The resident became sick on 10/12, but symptoms resolved quickly, and the patient has not experienced any respiratory symptoms since that time.
The resident was not tested at that time but this was discovered as part of surveillance testing ordered by the infection control practice that we ordered the facility to hire. The reason for this surveillance testing is to monitor the residents for any possible shedding of the virus and to appropriately cohort the patients based on laboratory status. So, this patient will now be moved to the cohort of adenovirus-positive patients. In other words, this test does not represent a patient that contracted adenovirus since cohorting was completed on 11/17.
source NJ Dept. of Health
