Health officials announced Wednesday five more cases of whooping cough in Flathead County, bringing the total to 30. The most recent one announced is a student at Peterson Elementary School in Kalispell.

Two of the recently announced cases are adults. Health officials say two of the cases confirmed yesterday are students that go to Helena Flats and Smith Valley schools. Health officials say multiple cases are still pending.

?I believe that we have a reservoir of adults that are carrying pertussis. Our kids are being exposed to it,? said Health Officer Joe Russell. ?We know that our kids are immunized, even though it?s not a 100 percent effective vaccine, it?s not a bad vaccine. There?s some unimmunized adults out there.?

The disease has now spread to eight different school systems in the Flathead. Officials at the Flathead City-County Health department say the vaccine is available for individuals two months old and older. Folks can call their health care provider or the Health Department at 751-8110.