There has been a viral outbreak at a New Jersey long-term medical care center, which has killed six children and left a dozen more infected. State officials have confirmed a total of 18 cases of adenovirus among paediatric patients at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Officials have said that adenoviruses cause "mild illness", but the children affected by the virus have been "medically fragile." State investigation is in progress and the center is now closed to new patients. The health department said that children have severely compromised immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to the virus.

State officials began investigating on the matter on Sunday according to a Department of Health release. An inspection team found “minor hand-washing deficiencies” at the center, which provides short-term and long-term adult nursing and rehabilitation services. Though it is still unclear how and when exactly the outbreak began.

Patient management is important in the field of healthcare but, hospitals and doctors face some serious challenges that need to be combated.