SEELEY LAKE – Missoula County has 103 confirmed pertussis cases as of Tuesday, May 14. Cases have been reported across all ages, from infants to adults.
There are 16 schools involved in this community-wide outbreak including Seeley-Swan High School. The duration of the outbreak means it is possible for people who were exposed earlier in the outbreak to be re-exposed.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a type of bacteria. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old. Pertussis symptoms can appear differently and be less severe in vaccinated individuals but still be contagious.
The Missoula City-County Health Department, in conjunction with Missoula County Public Schools nursing staff, investigates who may have been exposed to pertussis when a case has been confirmed. These people are called “contacts.” A student is not considered a contact unless they have been in a close enough physical range for a long enough period of time to have been exposed. Students who have been vaccinated against pertussis may still be considered contacts because the vaccine is not 100 percent effective.
According to SSHS Principal Dr. Kathleen Pecora, there was one confirmed case at the high school Tuesday, May 7. SSHS parents were also notified via email and text about the case.
The Health Department sent two nurses to SSHS on Wednesday to check the student’s close contacts. Seven students who exhibited symptoms (typically same as the common cold) were sent home to see their health provider for either a test or antibiotics. No action was needed by those who were not exhibiting symptoms or considered a contact.
Pecora said most of the students have returned to school Monday, May 13 after being on antibiotics. While it is still possible for someone to test positive, there have been no new confirmed cases as of Monday.
“Antibiotic therapy only protects against pertussis for about 12 days,” said Cindy Farr, Health Promotion Director at the Missoula City-County Health Department. “Everyone needs to stay vigilant and seek medical care if they develop symptoms.”
Strict exclusion guidelines are in place to reduce the amount of time a possibly contagious person might be at school or work:
• People who have been exposed and have symptoms must stay away from school or work and avoid contact with others until test results come back negative, or until they have completed five days of antibiotics.
• People in high-risk groups who have been exposed should seek medical care even if they do not have symptoms. Their health care provider may decide to give preventative treatment.
• People who have been exposed but have no symptoms and who are not in a high-risk group do not need to be excluded from work or school but they should remain on the alert for symptoms.
Farr appreciates everyone’s help. She said, “Your continued cooperation and vigilance are essential to reducing its spread, especially to high-risk individuals in our community.”
For additional information visit missoula.co/pertussis or call 258-INFO (4626).
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