TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-39) said she plans to introduce legislation after state health officials launched an investigation into the origin and spread of the Adenovirus 7 virus that  killed seven young patients and infected 11 others at a specialty rehabilitation hospital in Passaic County.

“There has been an obvious and troubling lack of communication,” said Schepisi. “Parents were not notified in some instances until weeks after the outbreak began, including one parent who was notified only the day before her daughter died.”

State health officials said the Wanaque Center informed the department of the outbreak on Oct. 9, but parents of infected children were not notified until Oct. 18.  In some cases parents learned about the severity of the outbreak from news reports, even though the hospital knew of the infections in late September, according to reports.

Speaking with the state health commissioner yesterday, Schepisi learned that the department has no mechanism to fine facilities for failing to communicate outbreak information to patients’ families.  She is introducing legislation that would require facilities to notify family within 24 hours of an outbreak or other health emergency involving their loved ones.

“This is something that needs to be rectified. If there is an outbreak at a facility at the very least immediate family members should be immediately notified so that informed decisions can be made regarding patient care. It is unconscionable that families are still not receiving information or phone calls back regarding their children’s health,” the assemblywoman said.