Pertussis outbreak continues

As of Sept. 20, Missoula County has 174 confirmed pertussis cases, according to Cindy Farr, Health Promotion Director at the Missoula City-County Health Department. While new pertussis cases slowed down during the summer, it did not go away.

Confirmed cases continued to be reported at an average of two cases per week throughout the summer. Cases have been reported across all ages, from infant to adults and in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. There have not been any confirmed cases reported at the Seeley-Swan Medical Center this summer.

As a new school year begins, it is important to understand how to protect yourselves and help stop the spread of pertussis:

• Wash your hands

• Cover your cough

• Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.

If you are experiencing symptoms of pertussis, please seek medical care. The following is general information about pertussis:

• Pertussis symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, mild to severe cough and a low fever.

• Pertussis is dangerous for high-risk groups which are infants, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised.

• Symptoms in infants are often atypical and severe, including difficulty breathing and blue lips.

• People who have been vaccinated generally have less severe symptoms, but they can still spread the disease.

• The classic “whoop” cough associated with pertussis is often absent in vaccinated individuals and infants.

• Health care providers can test for pertussis and effectively treat it with antibiotics.

• Anyone who has been exposed to someone who has pertussis should watch for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms appear.

If you or your child are identified as a person who has been exposed to a positive case of pertussis, you will be contacted by the Missoula City-County Health Department or staff at your child’s school.

“We know that this outbreak has been difficult for families and schools. We appreciate the help and understanding from parents, school staff and health care providers as we are entering into another school year. Your continued cooperation and vigilance is essential to reducing its spread especially to high risk individuals in our community,” said Farr.