The Voorhees Pediatric Facility reported two additional cases of adenovirus, bringing the total count to 12 residents; however, still no deaths
The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services was notified by the Voorhees Pediatric Facility of two additional cases of adenovirus. These two cases bring the facility’s total case count to twelve residents that have tested positive for adenovirus. No staff cases of adenovirus have been reported, no deaths have occurred and none of the patients are in critical condition.
The facility is maintaining enhanced infection control measures, including immediate separation of ill, exposed and well individuals into separate areas. Given the long incubation and shedding period for this virus, and its ability to survive in the environment, additional cases may be expected within the facility despite enhanced infection control practices. There is no cause for concern among the general public, or for otherwise healthy individuals.
“The Camden County Health Department and the New Jersey Department of Health have been working with the facility to provide infection control recommendations and identify other possible cases,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “The county Communicable Disease Unit have conducted site visits to assist the Voorhees Pediatric facility and state as needed through this investigation.”
The pediatric patients in Voorhees do not have the same strain of adenovirus, nor the severity of illnesses that was present among residents at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in northern New Jersey. The strain identified at Voorhees Pediatric Facility is Type 3, which tends to be a less strong strain. There are more than 49 types of adenovirus which commonly circulate in the late summer and early fall.
At the request of the NJDOH Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the Voorhees facility stopped all new admissions to the facility on November 1 until further notice.
Adenovirus is a respiratory virus which can cause mild or serious illness, though serious illness is less common. Symptoms may include common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, pink eye, fever, bladder inflammation or infection, inflammation of the stomach and intestines and neurological disease.
