Gallatin County Leads State in Flu Outbreaks in New Report

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) provides a weekly report throughout the influenza season that coordinates data from a variety of sources to give the most complete and up to date view of influenza activity in the state of Montana. All data are preliminary and may change as more complete information is received.

Since the beginning of flu season, Gallatin County has reported 429 cases of influenza. The county has seen 119 newly reported influenza cases as of January 11.

Visitor restrictions are currently in place at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital due to the influenza virus (the flu). People with symptoms of upper respiratory infection (cough, runny, or stuffed nose) or fever, along with children under the age of 12, are asked to refrain from visiting hospitalized patients.

According to Bozeman Health Deaconess, the best way to help prevent the flu is getting the flu vaccine, as even if it does not prevent the flu, it helps to shorten the length of illness.

Staying home if you experience flu or flu-like systems, as well as frequent hand-washing, all help prevent flu transmission.

Since flu season began in October, Montana has seen a total of 1,646 cases of the flu. Those cases have led to at least 102 hospitalizations.

To read the latest influenza update from DPHHS, click here.