Since the first adenovirus cases were reported last month in students at the University of Maryland (UMD), including the death of freshman, Olivia Paregol, school officials report an increase in cases among the student population.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

According to Director, University Health Center, David McBride, MD yesterday, there have been 35 confirmed cases of UMD students who have tested positive for Adenovirus by the University Health Center or by an outside physician.

Ten of these have been confirmed as Adenovirus 7 by the CDC.

UMD students with confirmed cases of Adenovirus-associated illness live in both on campus residence halls, including Easton, Elkton, Cambridge, Prince Frederick, LaPlata, Caroline, Worcester, Cumberland, Talbot, Ellicott, Prince George’s, Charles, Queen Anne, Harford, Oakland and Centerville, as well as a number of off-campus locations. Clustering of cases within residence halls has not been observed.

Adenoviruses are often associated with the common cold, but different strains may cause different kinds of illnesses. Adenovirus 7 is capable of causing more severe illness than other strains.