The health departments of Flathead, Lake, Confederated SalishKootenai Tribe and Missoula counties issued an alert Tuesday thatpertusiss (whooping cough) continues to  spread along the U.S. 93corridor.

In a press release, the departments reported 12 cases in FlatheadCounty, 14 in Lake County and four in Missoula County. Many caseshave been found in immunized school-aged children.

Although not 100 percent effective, pertussis vaccine remains theprimary means of preventing the illness, according to healthofficials. a highly immunized population increases protection foreach area.

To combat the disease, health officials try to identify cases earlyand  to provide preventative measures to people exposed to thedisease. Patients with pertussis should not go to daycare, school,work or public gatherings until at least five days after starting aprescribed antibiotic.

To prevent illness, health officials say those in close contactwith someone ill with pertussis should start treatment at the sametime as the ill person.This is particularly important for younginfants and other people at high risk for complications from thedisease.

County health officers urge anyone with a cough lasting more thanone week to consult their health care provider. Symptoms varygreatly depending on the patient’s age, vaccination status andstage of pertussis infection.

Infants and children with pertussis may cough violently andrapidly, over and over, until all air vacates their lungs, forcingthem to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. Extreme coughing canresult in vomiting and exhaustion.

However, infants sometimes exhibit a mild or absent cough as wellas a pause in breathing call apnea. Health officials say manyinfants are infected by a family member or caregiver who is notaware of their infection with pertussis.

Adolescents and adults generally have less severe symptoms, such asa nagging cough. Symptoms appear five to 10 days after exposure butremain up to three weeks.

Health officers ask anyone with suspicious symptoms to stay homeand call his or her health provider since early treatment isimportant. they also urge residents to get vaccinated, especiallyparents, family members and caregivers of young infants.

For additional information about pertussis, contact FlatheadCity-County Health Department at 751-8101, Lake County HealthDepartment at 260-6315 or Confederated Salish Kootenai TribalHealth Department at 883-5541.