BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana health officials say flu-related hospitalizations are down 95 percent from the same period last year.
The Billings Gazette reports that the flu season began in October and will end around June 1. According to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, this season saw only 22 hospitalizations as of February 9. Last season there were 441 hospitalizations in the same time period.
Across Montana, there have been only two flu-related deaths so far. There were 24 during the last season.
There are also new testing rules from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that could play a role in the number of flu cases reported.
Despite the lower numbers, health officials say people should still take precautions against the disease.
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