MISSOULA — The first death of the 2025-2026 influenza season was reported on Monday.
Missoula Public Health (MPH) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirmed an influenza death in Missoula County.
According to a news release, there have been 234 reported cases of influenza, six hospitalizations and one death in the state of Montana. There have been seven reported cases of influenza in Missoula County since October 5, 2025. You can find more information on the Montana DPHHS website.
Flu symptoms include high fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion, sore throat, cough and body aches. It may take one to four days after being exposed to the virus for symptoms to develop. Flu can also spread one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.
Health officials note that hospitalization rates for respiratory illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19, are increasing in Missoula County and across the country.
Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines are available through the Missoula Public Health Immunization Clinic located at 301 W. Alder St. on the first floor of the building. MPH offers a sliding fee scale, so no one is turned away for inability to pay. The clinic is open for walk-in appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment only on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 406-258-3363 with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Additional information from MPH:
"Getting vaccinated remains the best tool along with basic prevention measures to protect everyone in the community from respiratory illnesses. National health organizations such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics (ACOG) recommend anyone six months and older receive the seasonal flu vaccine. No vaccine is 100% effective.
However, getting the vaccine reduces the number of flu illnesses, makes symptoms less severe, and reduces the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people who have been vaccinated and still get sick."
