BUTTE, MT - Montana is facing a public health crisis that hasn't been seen in years.

This infection—familiar with many parents—has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and health officials are sounding the alarm.

With dozens of new cases popping up in communities statewide, the highly contagious disease is spreading fast—and children are at the highest risk.

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Health Care workers tend to an infectious patient. Credit: ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images
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Whooping cough, once thought to be under control, is proving once again how dangerous it can be. For parents in Montana, the time to take action is now.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) reported alarming case counts that mirror the numbers seen before COVID-19 disrupted the spread of contagious illnesses.

What makes whooping cough so terrifying? The disease can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that can lead to hospitalization in severe cases—especially in infants and young children who are most vulnerable. The intense coughing can even lead to cracked ribs, pneumonia, and in some tragic instances, death.

So, what can you do to protect your child? Health officials are urging Montanans to check their family’s vaccination records. The DTaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine is your child’s best defense. The CDC recommends infants receive five doses of the DTaP vaccine by age six, followed by a DTaP booster for pre-teens and adults, especially if they spend time around babies.

But vaccinations aren't the only tool in the fight against this resurgent illness. Health experts also advise that if your child shows signs of illness, such as cold-like symptoms, coughing fits, or difficulty breathing, to keep them home from school and seek medical advice immediately.

The disease spreads through coughing and sneezing, so isolating sick children is critical in preventing its spread. Parents should also practice good hygiene habits, like frequent hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces, to stop the virus from gaining a foothold in homes.

While it’s mostly children bearing the brunt of this new wave, whooping cough doesn’t discriminate: adults are getting sick, too. Recent reports have shown older individuals can carry and transmit the bacteria without realizing it, endangering the young and immunocompromised.

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