The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of adenovirus that has killed one student at the University of Maryland and sickened at least five more, according to an article on the NBC News website.
At least one of those affected by the outbreak was infected with adenovirus 7, a strain that can cause sometimes fatal pneumonia, the Maryland Department of Health said in a statement. It is the same strain of adenovirus that has killed 11 patients at a long-term care facility in New Jersey.
Two different strains of adenoviruses are causing outbreaks in New Jersey — one at the Wanaque long term care facility and a second at a pediatric facility in Voorhees.
Adenoviruses spread easily, through touching, in the air via coughing and sneezing, and from touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC said. People who are not sick can still spread the virus to others if they are infected. The virus is not easy to kill.
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