With 11 children succumbing to Adenovirus in West Bengal, the State is now on a high Alert

According to media reports, it is a combination of two adenovirus strains that is spreading fast and laying children low, even causing deaths, tests have confirmed. A serotyping done on adenovirus samples at ICMR-NICED Kolkata has found a combination of the dangerous strain 7, along with the virulent strain 3, in a majority of samples.

What is Adenovirus

According to CDC, US Adenoviruses are medium-sized (90-100 nm), non-enveloped icosahedral viruses with double-stranded DNA. More than 50 types of immunologically distinct adenoviruses can cause infections in humans. Adenoviruses are relatively resistant to common disinfectants and can be detected on surfaces, such as doorknobs, objects, and water of swimming pools and small lakes.

Symptoms

Adenoviruses most commonly cause respiratory illness. The illnesses can range from the common cold to pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. Depending on the type, adenoviruses can cause other illnesses such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, and, less commonly, neurological disease. People with weakened immune systems are at high risk for developing severe illness caused by adenovirus infection. Some people infected with adenoviruses, especially those who have weakened immune systems, can have ongoing infections in their tonsils, adenoids, and intestines that do not cause symptoms. They can shed the virus for weeks or longer.

Diagnosis

Adenovirus infections can be identified using antigen detection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation, and serology. Adenovirus typing is usually done by molecular methods.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for people with adenovirus infection. Most adenovirus infections are mild and don’t require any medical care; clinical care of adenovirus infections includes treatment of symptoms and complications.