Central idea: 19 children below the age of five years have died in State-run institutions due to acute respiratory infection (ARI) caused by Adenovirus.
What is Adenovirus Infection?
- Adenoviruses are common viruses that typically cause mild cold or flu-like illness and are usually spread from an infected person to others by close personal contact
- The virus is transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing and also by touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it
- While the virus can affect people of any age group, children with low and compromised immunity are at a higher risk
- Symptoms of the viral infection, other than common cold or flu-like symptoms, include acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pink eye (conjunctivitis), and acute gastroenteritis
Reasons for outbreak in Bengal
- Doctors claim that it is the recombinant strain which is the reason for the spike in infections and deaths.
- Most of the children who have been infected by the virus are less than three years old and were born during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Children who are in the age group of six months to preschool are most susceptible to viral infection.
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