PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
October 29, 2018

Shereef Elnahal
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Total of 26 adenovirus cases at Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

9 Deaths Associated with the Outbreak

Laboratory tests have confirmed another medically fragile child with adenovirus as part of an ongoing outbreak investigation at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell. To date, a total of 26 confirmed pediatric cases have been associated with this outbreak. In addition, a staff member at the facility — who has since recovered — also became ill as part of the outbreak.

There have been nine deaths associated with this outbreak.

October 22 remains the most recent date of illness onset. To date, the individuals associated with the outbreak became ill between Sept. 26 and Oct. 22. The affected children in the facility’s pediatric ventilator unit had severely compromised immune systems — including respiratory problems — before the outbreak began.

“This is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with the families who are grieving right now,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “We are working every day to ensure all infection control protocols are continuously followed and closely monitoring the situation at the facility.”

A Department of Health team of infection control experts and epidemiologists will visit University Hospital and four pediatric long-term care facilities — including Wanaque — in November to conduct training and assessments of infection control procedures, Commissioner Elnahal announced today.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about adenovirus. 

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Last Reviewed: 10/29/2018