MISSOULA – The number of confirmed whooping cough cases in the Missoula area has now risen to 57.
Pertussis cases have been confirmed in several Missoula County Public Schools — including Big Sky, Hellgate and Sentinel high schools.
Whooping cough cases have also been reported the Florence, Frenchtown and Lolo school districts.
The Missoula City-County Health Department is still working with schools to identify close contacts of confirmed cases.
Local health officials previously told MTN News that due to the number of calls the department has been receiving about the pertussis outbreak, they’ve asked part-time nurses to work full time for the next couple of weeks.
The Health Department will contact people with instructions if action is needed or will send information home with your child.
People can call the health department at (406) 258-4770 to check your records or get general information. A dedicated webpage with pertussis information has also been established to relay the latest information.