influenza

The open enrollment period for Medicare starts Oct. 15. People can change both their medical and drug coverage until Dec. 7.

As the weather cools down, public health officials remind Montanans that now is the time to schedule their COVID and flu shots.

The 340 current influenza cases in Montana are trending down, but are a far cry from mid-December when reported cases nearly reached the highest level in a decade. Health officials are cautioning Montanans to not let their guards down.

The number of flu cases and hospitalizations is already approaching the typical average for an entire season.

An early spike in influenza cases is emerging in Montana. That’s in stark contrast to recent years when zero to few cases were reported at this time of the year.

Montana’s influenza season is ramping up. Federal health officials say this year’s flu season is hitting the U.S. harder and earlier than in years past.

Early indicators have state public health officials bracing for what could be a significant influenza season, prompting them to urge Montanans to get their flu shot in the coming weeks.

Montana’s influenza cases have nearly doubled since mid-January. The surge comes as COVID-19 hospitalizations are spiking.

The number of Montanans who have tested positive for influenza this year continues to grow following last year’s nonexistent flu season.

After a year-long absence, influenza has returned to Yellowstone County.