HELENA – Influenza activity around Montana remains sporadic three months into the flu season.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services reports that between September 1 and November 24, there have been 36 confirmed cases in 11 Montana counties.
So far, just five people have been hospitalized by the virus and there have been no flu-related fatalities.
Cascade County had one confirmed case of influenza with that person being hospitalized. Missoula County saw the highest number of cases with 12 and Lewis and Clark County followed with nine cases.
Click here to read the DPHHS’ Montana Influenza Summary.
The estimated level of geographic spread of influenza activity is defined as follows:
- No Activity: No laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza and no reported increase in the number of cases of ILI.
- Sporadic: Small numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases or a single laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak has been reported, but there is no increase in cases of ILI.
- Local: Outbreaks of influenza or increases in ILI cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in a single region of the state.
- Regional: Outbreaks of influenza or increases in ILI and recent laboratory confirmed influenza in at least two but less than half the regions of the state with recent laboratory evidence of influenza in those regions.
- Widespread: Outbreaks of influenza or increases in ILI cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state with recent laboratory evidence of influenza in the state.
