The Missoula City-County Health Department reported six cases of whooping cough and has identified more than 300 close contacts who may have been exposed.
At this time, according to the Cascade City-County Health Department, there are no cases of whooping cough in Cascade County, which is also known as pertussis.
The beginning stages of the illness start like any other type of respiratory illness, with a mild cough, runny nose and watery eyes.
But, after a week the cough will become more and more intense and it will become difficult to catch your breath.
Public Health Nurse Bowen Trystianson said whooping cough is an illness that can land anybody in the hospital, especially if you are not already vaccinated.
The most at risk to contract whooping cough are babies and the elderly.
Trystianson believes there is a mild to moderate risk of the illness making its way into central Montana.
He said, “Missoula is close by and we’re in the summertime, so people travel a lot more back and forth, so that kind of increases our risk.”
If anybody has any questions about their immunization status, you can contact the health department at (406) 454-6950 where they can verify if you are protected.
Trystianson added that if you believe you may have whooping cough, it is best to call your health provider first, before going to the office and putting others at risk.
