Health departments in Flathead, Lake, Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe and Missoula counties issued an alert March 8 that pertusiss, commonly called whooping cough, is continuing to spread along the U.S. 93 corridor.

The health departments reported 12 cases in Flathead County, 14 in Lake County and four in Missoula County. Many cases have been found in immunized school-aged children.

Although not 100 percent effective, pertussis vaccine remains the primary means of preventing the illness, according to health officials. A highly immunized population increases protection for each area.

Patients with pertussis should not go to daycare, school, work or public gatherings until at least five days after starting a prescribed antibiotic.

To prevent illness, health officials say those in close contact with someone ill with pertussis should start treatment at the same time as the ill person. This is particularly important for young infants and other people at high risk for complications from the disease.

Health officers urge anyone with a cough lasting more than one week to consult their health care provider. Symptoms vary greatly depending on the patient’s age, vaccination status and stage of pertussis infection.

Anyone with suspicious symptoms is advised to stay home and call his or her health provider, since early treatment is important. They also urge residents to get vaccinated, especially parents, family members and caregivers of young infants.

For more information, contact the Flathead City-County Health Department at 751-8101.