W. Islip hospital sends alert about whooping cough case

Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip has notified patients, families and employees who may have come in contact with a health care worker in the maternity unit who was diagnosed with pertussis, or whooping cough, to seek preventive treatment.

The hospital said the worker was confirmed last Thursday by the state Department of Health to have pertussis, a contagious bacterial infection that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing.

"At the time of notification, the Department of Health confirmed that the employee in question had already completed antibiotic treatment and may return to work," said Dr. Jerome Weiner, chief medical officer at Good Samaritan.

No other person connected with the hospital has been reported to have the disease, said hospital spokeswoman Christine Hendriks.

State Health Department spokesman Peter Constantakes said the department was checking with the hospital to see what happened. He said health care workers aren't required to be vaccinated for pertussis, although it is "strongly advised."

Constantakes said so far this year, there have been 28 pertussis cases in Suffolk and 22 in Nassau, a slight increase over last year. Statewide, the number of cases has doubled, he said, with most occurring in central New York.

Pertussis can cause serious illness, especially in infants, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease starts like the common cold. After one to two weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, and they inhale with a loud "whooping" sound.

The disease usually spreads by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated.