Long Island officials warn of rapidly spreading whooping cough virus

June 30, 2011 – SMITHTOWN, N.Y. — A cluster of whooping cough is growing on Long Island, with dozens of people infected by the virus. As CBS 2’s Hazel Sanchez reports, a warning was sent out as children begin to head to summer camp – a certain breeding ground for the illness. Parents in Smithtown are on high alert, as the highly contagious whooping cough is spreading through their community. “It’s one of those diseases you don’t think you’ll ever hear about again,” parent Rick Vollkommer said. Donna Wilson said she’s not taking any chances with her daughter, Kayla. “She has been coughing a little bit here and there, so I’m contemplating maybe taking her to the doctor tomorrow, just to do a quick test,” she said. At least 40 people in Suffolk County, mostly children, have been diagnosed with Pertussis, the virus more commonly known as whooping cough. –CBS