HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Influenza activity this season in Montana remains widespread, with at least one new case being reported in the majority of counties for the week ending February 15.
Through February 15, there have been over 6,100 cases of influenza in Montana this season, with 205 in Glacier County and 177 cases in Hill County. For the week ending February 15, there were 33 new cases in Hill County and 27 in Glacier County.
Liberty, Chouteau, Blaine and Phillips Counties all had nine or fewer new cases over that week, while Toole County had no new cases.
The Department of Public Health & Human Services says that there have been six deaths related to influenza this season and 270 hospitalizations. All of the deaths have been adults, with five of the adults being 65 or older.
The beginning of the season featured influenza B being the predominant subtype, but now influenza A has seen an uptick. Of the 425 positive specimens tested by DPHHS for the week ending February 15, 59 percent were the influenza A subtype, with H1N1 the most common strain.
