6 kids dead, 12 sickened in New Jersey adenovirus outbreak

Officials from the New Jersey Department of Health are investigating an outbreak of adenovirus among pediatric patients at Wanaque (N.J.) Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, according to NBC 4 New York.

State health officials confirmed 18 adenovirus infections in children, including six deaths.

"Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus in this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems," the New Jersey Department of Health wrote in a statement cited by NBC 4 New York. "This strain has been particularly associated with disease in communal living facilities."

Investigators visited the rehabilitation facility Oct. 20-21 and met with staff to offer guidance on cleaning and infection control procedures. The health department also instructed the facility to not admit new patients until the outbreak ends. The cause of the outbreak is stil unclear.

A spokesperson for the Wanaque Center did not respond to NBC 4 New York's request for comment.

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