New virulent adenovirus type emerging in US: CDC

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A rare strain of adenovirus (type 14) that can cause severe and sometimes fatal acute respiratory illness in people of all ages -- including healthy young adults -- is becoming more common in the United States, health officials warn in Thursday's edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State and local public health officials "should be alert to the possibility of outbreaks caused by Ad14," the report emphasizes.

In May 2006, a 12-day-old infant in New York died from acute respiratory illness caused by Ad14. Between March and June 2007, a total of 140 additional cases of confirmed Ad14 respiratory illness were identified in groups of patients in Oregon, Washington, and Texas.

Fifty-three of these patients were hospitalized, including 24 who were admitted to intensive care units. Nine patients died.

Tests showed that Ad14 isolates from all four states were identical. However, the isolates were distinct from the Ad14 "reference" strain from 1955, suggesting the emergence and spread of a new Ad14 variant in the United States."

Control of adenovirus outbreaks can be "challenging," according to the CDC, "because these viruses can be shed in both respiratory secretions and feces and can persist for weeks on environmental surfaces."

CDC officials say medical providers may want to explore testing for Ad14 in a patient with severe or worsening respiratory symptoms. State health departments and military facilities are encouraged to contact CDC to report unusual clusters of severe disease caused by adenovirus or cases of Ad14.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report November 16, 2007.