The Flathead City-County Health Department received a list of more than 150 students potentially exposed to pertussis (whooping cough) from a seventh-grader who tested positive for the infectious illness.

Jody White, director of Community Health Services, told the county Board of Health on Thursday that the list included all classroom and bus contacts.  

Health officials began calling students’ families, advising them to see health-care providers for a five-day course of antibiotics that would keep them from spreading the disease in case they were infected.

White told the board that the student had the initial pertussis vaccinations but not the seventh-grade Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster. She added that it appears that the student was infected outside of this area.

Board members discussed how well schools monitored the immunization records of students and enforced state laws requiring certain immunizations. Health Officer Joe Russell said some districts such as Lakeside/Somers and Columbia Falls do an excellent job while others do not insist that students have up-to-date vaccinations on the first or second day of school.

White said that the first days of school are really busy for school nurses. She said they have to complete care plans for high-risk medically needy students at that time.

“There is a need for more nursing hours,” she said.

According to White, school administrators vary even within school districts on enforcement of state immunization laws.  

 Board member Dr. Wayne Miller suggested that the Board of Health work with school boards to set a consistent policy of enforcing those laws in all schools. Russell said a letter would be drafted from the board to school boards.

White announced at the meeting that the department has decided not to hold a large flu clinic as in past years at the fairgrounds. She said the one last year was poorly attended.

The department will offer flu shots daily and will schedule outreach clinics around the county.

“We will have the high-dose shot for 65 and over this year,” she said. “It was very well received last year.”

Also at Thursday’s meeting, Wendee Jacobs of Environmental Health told the board that The Swan River Inn had made some improvements. The owner passed the food safety test and was doing a better job with dating food.

She said that Marina Cay, a restaurant formerly placed on a compliance program because of low scores, had raised its C+ to B- on a follow-up inspection. Jacobs said that all the chefs were changed and a new owner has taken over who is interested in raising the score at an inspection scheduled next week.

During a report on the animal shelter, Director Cliff Bennett said that cat numbers had hit 70, a number where the shelter quits taking in cats to prevent diseases from overcrowding. County code requires that the shelter accept stray dogs but not cats.

He said the shelter offers people assistance such as food and puts them on a list for the first opening that reduces the numbers.

Bennett said that he has received an estimate of $130,000 including equipment for a potential expansion of the shelter for more cat space. He submitted a grant application for the money to the Petco Foundation.

He announced that the shelter will hold a rabies clinic on Sept. 29 in recognition of World Rabies Day. Bennett said the law requires that veterinarians give the shots so he is looking for more volunteer help from local veterinarians.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.