WA hospital staffer worked with whooping cough

An Everett hospital staffer worked while having whooping cough and now 72 employees have been given antibiotics as a precaution.

The Everett Herald reports (http://bit.ly/Mf0Sb3) that another 17 patients at Providence Regional Medical Center have been advised to take antibiotics as well.

But so far, hospital spokeswoman Cheri Russum says there are no known cases of either patients or employees contracting whooping cough after being exposed to the infected worker.

The employee was diagnosed with whooping cough on July 2 despite being vaccinated against the disease, also known as pertussis.

Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, says about 1 in 6 people who are vaccinated can still become infected.

The hospital employees who were exposed, but who don't have symptoms can take antibiotics and continue to work.

The Associated Press