Adenovirus type 3 outbreak in connecticut associated with a novel variant

An adenovirus outbreak occurred in New Haven, Connecticut in 2006-2007. Molecular typing revealed a twofold increase in adenovirus type 3 infections. Restriction enzyme analysis (REA) indicated that the CT outbreak was largely due to a marked increase in the novel Ad3a51 strain. This outbreak represents the first detection of Ad3a51 in the United States. While most infections were mild, children under 3 were at increased risk for severe disease and one patient with underlying disease died.