Olivia Paregol has been identified as the 18-year-old University of Maryland freshman who tragically passed away to due to an “adenovirus associated illness.”
What Happened?
Olivia Paregol, an 18-year-old freshman in the midst of her first semester at the University of Maryland, passed away to the an “adenovirus associated illness” on Sunday, November 18.
According to a statement from University Health Center Director David McBride, the university learned of the first case of adenovirus on November 1, and since then has confirmed five other more cases of the virus, University Health Center Director David McBride said in a statement.
Paregol, who was in her first semester at the University of Maryland, died on Sunday, November 18, at John Hopkins Hospital.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Adenovirus 7 is “most commonly associated with acute respiratory disease.”
Paregol’s death comes after 11 children in New Jersey died due to the disease.
via CNN:
Adenoviruses are often spread by touching a contaminated person or surface, or through the air by coughing or sneezing. They are known to persist on unclean surfaces and medical instruments for long periods of time, and they may not be eliminated by common disinfectants, but they rarely cause severe illness in healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of severe disease, and they may remain contagious long after they recover, according to the CDC.
The university recommends that students visit a physician within 48 hours of developing symptoms, stressing that “vigilance is extremely important” for those with conditions like asthma and diabetes, or people who take medication that lowers immune function.
Olivia’s father Ian Paregol said he believes that the University of Mayland shoule have notified the campus:
“I was told there were two students with the virus when I called to figure out what my daughter had, which means they knew it before my daughter. It was the worst nightmare that a family or certainly a parent can have to endure,” Paregol said.
At this time, University of Maryland officials said that five other students were also diagnosed with Adenovirus.