MARQUETTE — Marquette County has now seen its first two confirmed cases of Adenovirus 14 — a type of adenovirus that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections — in patients who have been hospitalized due to the illness, according to the Marquette County Health Department.

These two cases, confirmed Thursday, are part of a larger cluster of 13 confirmed Adenovirus 14 infections in people who have been hospitalized with the disease in Menominee, Dickinson and Marquette counties, said Marquette County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Terry Frankovich.

In addition to these 13 confirmed cases, there are two additional cases awaiting confirmation by the Center for Disease Control. There have now been three adenovirus-associated deaths among the hospitalized patients since the adenovirus was first detected locally in August.

“Public health is actively doing surveillance for these cases and monitoring the situation in the U.P., together with the state health department and the CDC,” she said.

In addition to the cases that resulted in hospitalization, outpatient testing has identified additional, milder confirmed cases, Frankovich said.

While adenovirus is a common and “usually self-limited” virus that comes with respiratory, and occasionally gastrointestinal symptoms, the Adenovirus 14 strain currently circulating in the central U.P. is concerning because it has been linked with more severe illnesses such as pneumonia. This is especially true for those who have greater vulnerability to infections, according to the health department.

“This particular adenovirus, Adenovirus 14, has been associated with more severe illness when it has emerged in communities across the country,” Frankovich said.

Because this cluster of adenovirus circulating in the central Upper Peninsula has caused multiple deaths and hospitalizations since mid-August, the Marquette County Health Department wants to make sure residents are informed about what is happening in their community and provide information about prevention strategies.

Prevention is key, Frankovich said, as there is no vaccine available against adenovirus, and unlike the flu, there aren’t oral medications for adenovirus that can be taken to support a faster recovery.

However, Frankovich emphasized that the approaching flu season is likely a “much bigger risk” as it typically affects many more people in the community and resulted in 80,000 deaths nationally last year, according to the CDC.

“We’re watching this closely, we never want to see any infections causing significant hospitalization or death, but I don’t want people to forget that flu will be arriving in our area and unlike adenovirus, there is a vaccine that can help prevent infection,” she said.

Other than vaccination, the prevention methods recommended for adenovirus are the same recommended for preventing the spread of cold and flu, Frankovich said, emphasizing the importance of frequent hand washing, especially before eating; staying home when ill; coughing into your sleeve; and contacting a health care provider if symptoms are severe or concerning.

“Just like flu, it is easy to pass adenovirus infections from person to person through coughing and sneezing,” Frankovich wrote in a press release. “People can also come in contact with the virus by touching surfaces where the virus has landed — like doorknobs and other hard surfaces and then touching the moist parts of their eyes, nose, or mouth. Just like in flu season, we remind people that big public spaces are easy places to spread infections.”

Those who smoke, have a lowered ability to fight infections, have chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at a higher risk for more severe illness when they get respiratory infections and should aim to practice prevention techniques and reduce their exposure to sick individuals, Frankovich said.

For those who are concerned about the severity of their respiratory symptoms, the health department recommends contacting a healthcare provider.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.