OSHKOSH (NBC26) - The state health department is calling it an outbreak. People at three Wisconsin universities have tested positive for a virus, mistakable for the flu.
“We see adenovirus all year round,” said Shawn Ekstrom, the senior physician and medical director from UW-Oshkosh’s Medical Center. “It's one of the viruses that cause the common cold, and we're seeing a lot of common colds right now."
Officials said two students at UW-Oshkosh tested positive for the virus. Students at UW-Madison and UW-La Crosse did as well. They found the cases in Oshkosh because the university is part of an influenza monitoring program with UW-Madison. Lately, Ekstrom said more tests are being done on their influenza samples, which resulted in 2 of 6 testing positive for adenovirus.
The virus, similar to the flu, can cause respiratory issues ranging from a cold to rare cases of infections leading to pneumonia or death. It can also cause diarrhea or pink eye.
"We see a fair amount of pink eye,” Ekstrom added. “Have we this year? Absolutely. Did we last year? Absolutely. Those are things you see when you have a cluster of people together that live together and share common areas."
But the Winnebago County Health Department differs from the state on what they would consider an adenovirus outbreak, based off of the latest numbers. Kim Goffard, the public health supervisor for the county, said the latest numbers show 263 samples were tested and 10 came back positive. It’s a slight increase over the last month, but not something they are concerned about.
Goffard said what they are concerned about is that since adenovirus is not reportable, this slight increase gives them pause to take a look at other potential reasons people are having influenza-like symptoms in the midst of cold and flu season. She also said its concerning because of how easy this virus can be passed along.
"Same thing with the flu virus this time of year, you can give it by coughing around somebody, sneezing around somebody, not having good hand hygiene; touching the doorknob of somebody who touched the doorknob and left some of the virus behind,” Goffard said.
Both Goffard and Ekstrom note, one of the biggest ways to prevent the spread, is by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water; as alcohol-based sanitizers will not work.
The two students who had adenovirus at UW-Oshkosh have recovered. Health officials say remembering how to try to prevent it, is something to think about as many students start heading home for the holidays.
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WISCONSIN (NBC 26) -- Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) says there is an investigation into multiple cases of adenovirus infection across college campuses around the state.
The Wisconsin DHS confirm that UW-Oshkosh, UW-Madison, and UW-La Crosse campuses have been affected. The exact number of cases is not available.
According to a report released by the Wisconsin DHS, adenovirus infections commonly cause respiratory illness, which can range from cold and flu-like symptoms to bronchitis. They include in the report that in some cases adenovirus infections can lead to pneumonia or death.
Other common symptoms of adenovirus can include diarrhea, pink eye, and in rare cases cause an inflammation of the bladder or sever neurological disease.
The Wisconsin DHS says if you have any of these symptoms to please see your doctor, stay home from school and work, as well as practice good health hygiene to avoid spreading adenovirus to others.
Adenovirus is spread in many ways such as from the air after someone with the infection has sneezed or coughed, touching and shaking hands, or coming into contact with water that has the virus in it.
Ways to prevent the spreading of adenovirus include cough and sneezing into a tissue or elbow, avoid sharing cups and utensils, along with washing your hands with soaps and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom.
You can find the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's information on adenovirus infection by CLICKING HERE.
