Thread: Mutated cold virus turns lethal; CDC not worried

Nov. 16, 2007, 1:05AM
Mutated cold virus turns lethal; CDC not worried
'Uncommon' illness sickens scores in Texas, three other states

By MIKE STOBBE
Associated Press

ATLANTA — A mutated version of a common cold virus has caused 10 deaths in the last 18 months, U.S. health officials said Thursday.

Adenoviruses usually cause respiratory infections that aren't considered lethal. But a new variant has caused at least 140 illnesses in New York, Oregon, Washington and Texas, said a report issued Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC officials don't consider the mutation to be a cause for alarm for most people, and they're not recommending any new precautions for the public.

"It's an uncommon infection," said Dr. Larry Anderson, a CDC epidemiologist.

The illness made headlines in Texas earlier this year, when a so-called boot camp flu sickened hundreds at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The most serious cases were blamed on the emerging virus, and one 19-year-old trainee died.

No clusters of that strain have been reported in Houston, said Kathy Barton, a city health department spokeswoman.

Dr. Gail Demmler, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine who works in the virology laboratory at Texas Children's Hospital, said tests for the first six months of this year have not turned up any Ad14 strains.

There are more than 50 distinct types of adenoviruses tied to human illnesses. They are one cause of the common cold and also trigger pneumonia and bronchitis.

Some adenoviruses have also been blamed for gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis and cystitis.

There are no good antiviral medications for adenoviruses. Patients usually are treated with aspirin, liquids and bed rest.

Some people who get infected by the new bug probably would not suffer symptoms, and some may just feel a common cold. Sick people should see a doctor if they suffer a high fever or have trouble breathing, Anderson said.

Earlier this year, hundreds of trainees at Lackland became ill with respiratory infections. Tests showed a variety of adenoviruses in the trainees, but at least 106 — and probably more — had the mutated form of Ad14, including five who ended up in an intensive care unit

The Ad14 form of adenovirus was first identified in 1955. It's been detected rarely, but seems to be growing more common.

Chronicle reporter Alexis Grant contributed to this report.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5306455.html

Mutant Form of Cold Virus Worries CDC Experts by Anna Boyd 10:47, November 16th 2007


A new unusually threatening virus that leads to colds and other respiratory infections has caused 10 deaths in the last 18 months according to a new report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday.


Adenoviruses cause respiratory infections that are not considered a real threat to people. Usually this virus does not lead to death.


This new virus has caused more than 140 illnesses in New York, Oregon, Washington and Texas.

"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.

More than 50 distinct types of adenoviruses are linked to human illnesses and they can be the cause of common cold. They also can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis.

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 lat 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.


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.


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. The infection has been rarely detected since then.


A Barr Pharmaceutical vaccine for the military 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 it persists, then we'd consider if the vaccine needs to be modified further," said Col. Art Brown, of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, according to Associated Press.

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