2009 H1N1 Influenza
This is Missoula City and County's official 2009 H1N1 Influenza (formerly known as swine flu or pandemic influenza) website. Local advisories and recommendations will be posted here, as well as links to the best national information.
These pages are updated frequently with the most current information.
What's New
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Current Flu Activity
Missoula County and the state of Montana continue to have cases of 2009 H1N1 Influenza, although numbers have dropped off significantly.
Montana weekly H1N1 influenza activity
- State-wide information
Missoula weekly
H1N1 influenza activity -
County-wide information
Topics:
- Background
- Vaccine - H1N1
- What you can do to stay healthy
- If you are sick
- Antiviral medications - who is at higher risk for complications from H1N1
- Missoula's Frequently Ask Questions
- H1N1 - The Basics - a handout for Missoula worksites, child care providers and others (pdf)
- More information resources
- Vaccine Consent Form
- Information for specific groups:
- Worksite considerations - what an employer can do to reduce the spread of viruses among employees and between employees and customers
- Health care providers
- Pregnant women - Missoula Frequently Asked Questions
- Leaders of faith-based organizations - from CDC and US Health and Human Services
- Parents and caregivers
- Child care providers - Missoula flyer
- Mothers who are breastfeeding
Missoula's 2009 H1N1 Flu
Information Line:
258-4636
People are available at our Information Line to answer your questions. If they are all busy, you will hear a recorded message, and you can leave a number for a call back.
Background:
2009 H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease caused by a strain of type A influenza that first appeared in the spring of 2009. It is causing additional illnesses to the customary seasonal influenza strains that will also be present in the fall and winter.
CDC - H1N1 Influenza
- the best and most rapidly updated source for information on
H1N1. Topics include:
- Symptoms
- Prevention
- What to do if you are sick
- Travel notices
- School considerations
What you can do to stay healthy
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. The virus is not spread by handling or eating food.
To keep from getting the flu:
- Wash your hands often throughout the day.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth,
especially after touching surfaces that could be contaminated. - Try to stay in good general health:
- Get plenty of sleep
- Be physically active
- Manage your stress
- Eat nutritious food
Cough-safe strategy - "Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves?" (This is a humorous but to-the-point, short video.)
Information for Emergency Responders - from the Minnesota State Health Dept.
Please reduce your visits to hospitals, especially with children. Hospitals have patients who are particularly vulnerable to influenza-like-illnesses. People in the early stages of influenza can unknowingly spread the virus even though they may not have any symptoms.
Information from CDC for:
More information resources:
World Health Organization - H1N1
