An outbreak of a virus at Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in New Jersey has claimed the lives of seven children, and 11 more are sick.
Officials said it is an andenovirus outbreak. Andenovirus is a respiratory disease that commonly causes fever, sore throats, diarrhea and pink eye. It can also include bladder infection and may be mild or severe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Andenovirus may be transmitted through personal contact such as touching, and from being in the air after coughing and sneezing.
NJ.com says the outbreak at the Wanaque Center appears to be affecting medically fragile children.
The cause of the outbreak is not known. The facility notified the health department of the viral outbreak on Oct. 9, 2018.
The center where the illness has spread is a 227-bed facility that serves children as well as adults as a nursing home and rehabilitation center, according to NJ.com.
