Maryland student dies from Adenovirus and 5 others are sick, according to the school

A freshman at the University of Maryland died after contracting the type 7 strain of the Adenovirus, with another five students diagnosed with the virus so far.

On Monday the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Protection) confirmed that one of the samples sent in from the health center at the school was of the type 7 strain of the virus.

David McBride, the university’s health center director, said in a statement released on Tuesday that the school became aware that the student was sick with the Adenovirus on November 1.

The University issued a letter acknowledging the young student’s death, although they didn’t officially name anyone. The letter also said in part that on November 19, the University learned of one sample that tested positive for the Adenovirus 7.

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The same strain of the Adenovirus got identified as the cause of a viral outbreak at a rehabilitation center in Wanaque, New Jersey and claimed the lives of 11 children.

According to the health department, the children affected by the virus became ill between September 26 and November 12. Also, 23 additional children have contracted the 7 type strain of the Adenovirus which got tied to insufficient methods of isolating those that already contracted the virus from the rest.

Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal said in a statement earlier this week:

"The fact that we are continuing to see new, confirmed cases at this point, despite all efforts toward strict adherence to protocols, has made the facility's layout limitations clear."

New admissions to the Wanaque facility prohibited as a result of "serious infection control deficiencies cited in ongoing inspections." The facility is required to hire an infectious disease doctor and staff with expertise in infection control.

The identity of the freshman that died from the virus got confirmed as 18-year-old Olivia Paregol, she had reportedly been sick throughout most of the fall semester, and with what started as just a cough led to her tragic death.

The medication Olivia took for Crohn’s disease weakened her immune system, which made it hard for her body to fight off the virus. In a statement issued by the school, they urged that ‘vigilance is extremely important’ to those on medication that weakens the immune system and said:

"It is vitally important not to ignore these symptoms and visit a physician within 48 hours of developing symptoms."

There are over 50 strains of the Adenovirus with only a few strains posing a threat. Severe illness and death from the type 7 strain got reported in the United States over the past decade. However, it is unclear how many people have died from this strain.

The first influenza-related pediatric death in the United States this year occurred almost two months ago. According to officials, the child died between September 30 and October 6, but for privacy reasons no other information about the child is available. The child has not had a flu vaccination.

The tragic occurrence prompted a statement from the Spokesperson for the federal health department, Brad Dalton:

“While rare, these deaths do occur every year, mostly in unvaccinated children with an underlying health condition. Annual vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza and its potentially severe complications.”

Helping your child fend of a virus it has no natural immunity to could only be beneficial to their health.