Whooping cough confirmed in Flathead Valley

Flathead City-County Health Department officials announced Thursday that four cases of pertussis or whooping cough have been confirmed in Flathead County in unvaccinated adults.

Jody White, director of the community health services, said the department’s largest concern is that one of the adults had an affiliation with a local school. She did not release the name of the school.

“All of the exposed contacts have been contacted and we made sure they received the appropriate antibiotics,” White said.

Ages of adults infected range from the 20s to 60.

An upper respiratory infection caused by bacteria, pertussis starts like a common cold for a week or more, then worsens 10 to 14 days later when the cough may cause a “whoop” from coughing while trying to take a breath.

According to a press release from the health department, the cough may become so severe that it leads to vomiting or loss of consciousness. Children, particularly those under 18 months, may stop breathing during coughing episodes, requiring hospitalization. Vaccinated adults and children may develop pertussis without the whoop and become unaware carriers of the disease.

White said two of the confirmed infections occurred in a multi-generational family. A woman and toddler in the family who had received vaccinations did not develop pertussis.

No one in the family had traveled out of this area, so their source of infection remains unidentified.

“Most likely we have other people in the valley with pertussis,” White said. “People often think it’s a bad cold or cough.”

She said an astute person in the family recognized that the cough was more severe than anything experienced before. White said the cough was to the point of vomiting so a call was made to the health department.

“We recommended that they get tested and one came back positive,” she said.

Health officials recommend that people consult their health care provider if they are concerned that they or their children have symptoms of pertussis.

As a bacterial infection, the disease may be treated with antibiotics if identified early. Treatment may shorten the length and severity of the illness as well as the length of time of infectiousness if started within three weeks of the start of the cough.

Infection and symptoms last at least 6 weeks, earning pertussis the moniker of “100 days cough.” To prevent spread, health officials advise covering a cough with a tissue or sleeve and frequent hand washing.

White said vaccination remains the best prevention method.

“We have plenty of vaccination available for all ages through 64,” White said.

Vaccine for children costs $15 and the adult vaccine is $49. The cost is on a sliding scale based on income. No one is denied a vaccination because of inability to pay.

Childhood immunizations normally include DTaP, referring to diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. White said the department recommends another booster for children at age 10 but at least before the seventh grade.

“By late grade school or early middle school, immunity begins to wane,” White said.

Health officials also recommend vaccinations for adults under 65. White said the age limit comes from the vaccine manufacture because of the way it was licensed.

She said people over 64 who are traveling to an area with an epidemic of pertussis or who are caring for an infant may consult their physician about receiving vaccinations. The health department can’t provide them.

“We have a number of people who have gone to individual providers and have been given vaccinations,” she said.

For more information about pertussis or vaccination, call the health department at 751-8110 or another health care provider.

 Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.