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Board hears county disease update: low influenza activity, tick surveillance, and recent measles cases in state
Summary
Prairie County health staff reported low current influenza and COVID levels locally but highlighted statewide measles cases and tick surveillance; season-to-date counts and examples from 2025 were discussed.
Prairie County health staff provided a routine communicable-disease update, reporting low current COVID and influenza activity locally while flagging statewide measles cases and recent tick surveillance efforts.
An agency official summarized recent counts: "There was 13 COVID cases and 18 influenza cases" in data for May 17 and season-to-date numbers of "5,333 COVID, and 15,280 influenza." The official noted the appearance of blacklegged ticks last year (three ticks found, one in Dawson County and two in Sheridan County) and advised continued monitoring. "It's exceedingly rare in Montana," the speaker said of Lyme disease but urged surveillance because of new tick detections.
The speaker also reported five confirmed measles cases in 2026 and recalled 41 confirmed cases in 2025 that spanned seven counties, and observed that no West Nile or Rocky Mountain spotted fever human cases had been reported to date. Board members received the update and asked follow-up logistical questions. No formal policy decision followed during the report.
The briefing was framed as information for ongoing surveillance and local preparedness; staff said they are monitoring international outbreaks for potential domestic importation risks.
