Pertussis at Jefferson High School

The Jefferson County Health Department was notified Wednesday January 11th at 2:30 P.M. that a student at JHS has pertussis, this is also known as whooping cough. Most children are imuunized to prevent this illness. We often see cases in adolescence as childrens’ immunity begins to decrease. As a result these are the measures we a must take to prevent spread of this infection.

Administrative Rules of Montana 37.114.563 state, “... an individual indentified by the local health officer as a close contact, must be referred by the officer to a physician for chemoprophylaxis." In addition, the rules require close contacts with symptoms to be evaluated for pertussis.

• Runny nose and/or intermittent cough and often no fever.

The following symptoms are consistent with pertussis in later weeks (Paroxysmal stage):

• Cough illness lasting 2 weeks with paroxysms of coughing
• Inspiratory whoop

• Vomiting after coughing

• Low grade fever

• Elevated WBC along with the cough symptoms

Close contacts with Pertussis symptoms:must avoid contact with anyone outside his/her immediate family until the 5th day of medication below is completed or they test negative for pertussis.

If you have any questions, please call the public health nurse at: (406) 225-4007

The Health Department appreciates everyones cooperation and patience during this outbreak so we can protect the health of our students and community.