Dangerous new form of Adenovirus spreading fast

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   Dangerous new form of Adenovirus spreading fast  

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KNOXVILLE (WVLT) - We're covering East Tennessee health with the growing threat of Adenovirus.

Adenovirus can cause many illnesses, including colds, pinkeye, bronchitis, stomach flu and respiratory infections.

But one particular strain, Adenovirus 14, can cause pneumonia, and it's striking an increasing number of young, healthy adults.

It's hospitalized dozens of people and killed at least 10, and Adenovirus 14 appears to be spreading, and c-d-c investigators are unsure why.

Adenovirus 14 was first identified in Holland in 1955.

It is caused sporadic outbreaks in Europe and Asia, but there's never been a documented case in the western hemisphere.

Until now, at least 1,035 americans in four states have been infected so far this year, according to CDC.

A cause for alarm for Infectious Disease Specialists like Lee George who says, "The most important thing, I think, to consider is, this virus seems to be more virulent and we don't know why."

Adenovirus used to cause nothing more than a bad cold.

Now within a day or two of developing a cough or fever, some patients become so sick they are being admitted to the emergency department in need of oxygen.

This strain has the capability of causing severe respiratory illnesses in people of all ages, regardless of their general health.

George says, "But now, what we're seeing are clusters of outbreaks primarily in crowded conditions, like the military installations, but they do appear sporadic, in small clusters or maybe individual cases."

CDC investigators have confirmed outbreaks in four states: Texas, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina.

They are trying to determine whether any antiviral drugs are effective against the virus, and whether vaccines offer any defense.

In the meantime, Infectious Disease Specialist Lee George say don't be alarmed, but be aware, "If you are ill and you have a high temperature and you don't seem to be getting any better, it's really a good idea to go see your doctor."

The virus spreads like flu or colds, and can be prevented much the same way, through good hygiene, primarily proper hand washing.

The largest outbreak, at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, now appears to be tapering off.

CDC investigators confirm 579 recruits have been infected, including 24 who had to be hospitalized.

One recruit died.

This looks real bad!!  

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Loribearme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: September 06 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2542	Post Options Post Reply Quote Loribearme Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dangerous new form of Adenovirus spreading fast Posted: December 12 2007 at 5:07pm
	Dangerous new form of Adenovirus spreading fast http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/12435866.html KNOXVILLE (WVLT) - We're covering East Tennessee health with the growing threat of Adenovirus. Adenovirus can cause many illnesses, including colds, pinkeye, bronchitis, stomach flu and respiratory infections. But one particular strain, Adenovirus 14, can cause pneumonia, and it's striking an increasing number of young, healthy adults. It's hospitalized dozens of people and killed at least 10, and Adenovirus 14 appears to be spreading, and c-d-c investigators are unsure why. Adenovirus 14 was first identified in Holland in 1955. It is caused sporadic outbreaks in Europe and Asia, but there's never been a documented case in the western hemisphere. Until now, at least 1,035 americans in four states have been infected so far this year, according to CDC. A cause for alarm for Infectious Disease Specialists like Lee George who says, "The most important thing, I think, to consider is, this virus seems to be more virulent and we don't know why." Adenovirus used to cause nothing more than a bad cold. Now within a day or two of developing a cough or fever, some patients become so sick they are being admitted to the emergency department in need of oxygen. This strain has the capability of causing severe respiratory illnesses in people of all ages, regardless of their general health. George says, "But now, what we're seeing are clusters of outbreaks primarily in crowded conditions, like the military installations, but they do appear sporadic, in small clusters or maybe individual cases." CDC investigators have confirmed outbreaks in four states: Texas, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina. They are trying to determine whether any antiviral drugs are effective against the virus, and whether vaccines offer any defense. In the meantime, Infectious Disease Specialist Lee George say don't be alarmed, but be aware, "If you are ill and you have a high temperature and you don't seem to be getting any better, it's really a good idea to go see your doctor." The virus spreads like flu or colds, and can be prevented much the same way, through good hygiene, primarily proper hand washing. The largest outbreak, at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, now appears to be tapering off. CDC investigators confirm 579 recruits have been infected, including 24 who had to be hospitalized. One recruit died. This looks real bad!!

Loribearme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: September 06 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2542	Post Options Post Reply Quote Loribearme Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 12 2007 at 5:10pm
	I just found this !! Mutant Form of Cold Virus Can Be Deadly By Anna Boyd 13:40, December 12th 2007 More than a thousand people in Oregon, Texas, Washington and New York have been infected with a virulent virus whose symptoms starts like a common cold, but they could end in death sometimes, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health specialists called this strain of the virus Adenovirus serotype 14 and added that it targets healthy Americans. Adenoviruses cause respiratory infections that are not considered a real threat to people. Usually this virus does not lead to death. However, at least 10 people have been killed by a mutant form of the strain known as adenovirus 14. "Whether you're a healthy young adult, an infant, or an elderly person, this virus can cause severe respiratory disease at any age. What brought this to our attention is that it can cause severe respiratory diseases in otherwise healthy adults," said John Su, an investigator of infectious diseases with the CDC and a contributor to the report. Other adenoviruses have been related to gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis and cystitis. The first case of this mutated virus was discovered in an infant girl in New York City who died last year, according to the CDC report. The child, healthy after birth, became dehydrated and lost appetite. She died 12 days later. Dr. John Su said that she was infected with a form of adenovirus, called Ad14, but slightly modified. The first case of Ad14 infection was identified in 1955 among military recruits in the Netherlands and 14 years later caused severe damages between military recruits stationed in Europe. At the beginning of 2007, more than a hundred trainees at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio became ill with respiratory infections. At least 106 of them had the mutated form of Ad14, five of them ending up in an intensive care unit. Another 31 cases were registered at a Portland-area hospital from Oregon in April. Seven of them died from severe pneumonia. The Washington state officials reported four hospitalized patients in May. One of them, suffering from AIDS, died. There is no medication against the virus, according to the CDC experts, but they say there is currently no need to raise the alarm for patients. A Barr Pharmaceutical vaccine is currently being tested and is expected to be licensed in 2009. The health specialists from the CDC said that a vaccination against the mutant Ad14 is really needed. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> More than a thousand people in Oregon, Texas, Washington and New York have been infected with a virulent virus whose symptoms starts like a common cold, but they could end in death sometimes, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This also does not look good!!

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 12 2007 at 7:41pm
	What concerns me these days is not so much the new or rare viruses that are getting more common, it's that it seems like every one of them affect "young healthy" people the most. That sounds just like avian flu. I wonder if it is possible that avian flu has not actually mutated so much itself, but is merging with some of these other diseases making them more common and more dangerous. There seems to be so many all of a sudden all around the world that have changed in different ways. Could avian flu have changed all kinds of other viruses all around the world? This is getting freaky... and not in a good way, either. P.S. some of you brains have probably already stated this in more intelligent ways. I'm sometimes a little slow in the uptake. I don't mean to steal anyone's thunder.