Pertussis arrives in Flathead

Eight pertussis cases have been reported in Flathead County.

The whooping cough cases, affecting six children and two adults, are in the Columbia Falls and Swan River school districts, Flathead City-County Health Department officials announced Wednesday.

Jody White, Community Health Services director, urged everyone in the community to remain vigilant in watching for symptoms and to protect themselves and their family.

People who have been exposed and have symptoms should stay home from school or work until they can seek medical advice. People who have had pertussis should not return to day care, school, work or go to a public gathering for at least five days after starting an antibiotic.

“Pertussis is a disease that doesn’t have boundaries of a school or even a community. It’s very communicable,” White said. “That’s why we’re trying to be very proactive in contacting those people who we know have been exposed and getting the word out to the community about what to watch for and how to protect your self.”

White said school-related cases began increasing on Friday and Monday. Those infected include children in second through fifth grade, one teacher and one other adult and include both immunized and unimmunized people.

Pertussis spreads through contact with discharges from the mouth and nose of the infected person. Health officials urge regular handwashing and covering coughs.

Symptoms usually appear five to 10 days after exposure. However, they can develop as long as 21 days after exposure.

Early symptoms mimic a common cold with coughing. The cough gradually becomes worse with spasms that may lead to vomiting or the characteristic high-pitched whoop.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, infants may not have the characteristic cough but instead have a sudden pause in the breathing pattern called apnea. White said the disease poses the most danger to infants under the age of one.

“Generally, for a healthy older child or adult, it’s a nuisance — often called the 100 days cough — so it’s very uncomfortable,” she said. “People sometimes break ribs or get secondary complications. But our highest concern is for infants.”

Flathead City-County Health Department staff worked long hours calling people known to have had contact with those confirmed with pertussis.

“We’ve been trying to make sure that contact investigation is done within 24 hours as much as possible,” she said.

To prevent more cases, health officials urge exposed people to take an antibiotic. White said the most commonly prescribed is a five-day course of zithromycin known as a z-pack.

For the most part, people have cooperated and agreed to take the medication to stop the spread of whooping cough to others. White said some people worry about taking antibiotics too often for fear of developing resistance.

White said people should not let that keep them from taking the medication if they have been exposed.

“It’s the best solution and the alternative that we have for preventing illness,” she said.

There have been more than 100 pertussis cases across Montana, with many concentrated in Ravalli County. White said cases have been increasing statewide, in neighboring states and across the country.

“Pertussis goes in cycles just normally,” she said. “But with the unimmunized and under-immunized populations, it does increase the risk.”

White recommends that anyone — especially those who are around or may be around an infant — get the pertussis vaccination. The department has vaccine on hand for all ages over two months with programs to reduce the cost for those who can’t afford immunization.

No child is ever denied a vaccination at the health department because of inability to pay.  For more information, call the health department at 751-8110 or check the website flatheadhealth.org.

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