Sixth case of Adenovirus confirmed at Voorhees Pediatric Facility

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WTXF) - The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services has announced a sixth case of adenovirus at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility.

Officials say the strain of adenovirus identified is not the same strain as the cases at the pediatric long-term care facility in norther New Jersey. The strain identified at Voorhees Pediatric Facility is Type 3 which is known to be a less strong strain.

According to officials, there are more than 49 types of adenovirus which commonly circulate in the late summer and early fall.

"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. "Two site visits have been conducted to date, and the county Communicable Disease Unit will continue to assist the Voorhees Pediatric facility and state as needed through this investigation."

Members of the Voorhees Pediatric Facility have not reported any deaths or patients in critical condition.

The NJDOH commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal has requested that the Voorhees facility reduce all admissions to the facility until further notice. The facility also has the capacity to safely separate sick, exposed and well individuals into separate areas.

Officials also say since there is a long incubation period, additional cases would not necessarily be the result of ongoing infection control problems. There is no cause for concern among the general public, or for otherwise healthy individuals.

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.