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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to throw away and not purchase specific ground cinnamon products because samples of these products were found to contain levels of lead that may be unsafe. One of these products, Supreme Tradition ground cinnamon, has been distributed at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores in Montana. These stores currently operate in the following counties: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Great Falls, Hill,...
As Montana gears up to enter another respiratory illness season, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) encourages Montanans to take precautions to help protect against severe symptoms from COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The number of people ill due to respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, and RSV, is currently low across most of the United States, but has increased in recent weeks. Montana has already begun seeing...
State and local health officials are reporting increased West Nile virus (WNV) activity in several counties across the state this week, including the first three human cases for 2023, which have been identified in Dawson, Rosebud, and Yellowstone counties. These three cases range in ages from the late 30s to early 70s, including two males and one female. All cases were hospitalized for their illnesses. Additionally, this week, two horses were diagnosed with WNV infections in Hill and Pondera counties. Mosquito pools also tested positive for WNV...
Ahead of farmer’s market season, Montana farmers are encouraged to join the state’s Farm Direct Program. “This is an excellent opportunity for farmers to get additional sales on their locally grown fruits and vegetables,” said Lacy Little, Montana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program director that oversees Farm Direct. “It also helps WIC participants access locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer months.” Farm Direct is administered through nine local WIC agencies including: Gallatin County WIC, Lewis and Clark Count...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are urging Montanans to be aware of the importance of appropriate antibiotic use during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week Nov. 18-24. This is an annual observance that provides participating organizations in the state’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program an opportunity to raise awareness about antibiotic use to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance. DPHHS officials state that while antibiotics are a common treatment for numerous bacterial infections, they are not always the a...
In Montana, 5% of adults are blind or have low vision. The obstacles of living in a world without vision can feel insurmountable, from trying to navigate one's outdoor surroundings to purchasing a bag of chips at a grocery store. Yet, many thrive and live great lives with little or no sight. In the newest series of episodes from DPHHS Talking Health in the 406 podcast, guest Jacob Krissovich shares his story of life without sight. Born with normal vision, Krissovich began to lose vision in his...
State and local public health officials are reporting the season’s first West Nile virus (WNV) detections in positive mosquito samples in Dawson and Lewis and Clark counties. The first horse infected with WNV this season was also confirmed earlier this week in Lewis and Clark County. To date, no human cases of WNV have been identified this season. Increased risk of WNV infection in humans and horses is expected to continue through at least October. The detection of WNV in mosquitoes and horses is an early warning that Montanans are at an i...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Adam Meier has announced today the agency is conducting a Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults to help learn the priorities of Montanans related to services provided by the state. DPHHS, in partnership with the 10 Area Agencies on Aging, is conducting the survey of older adults to learn how best to accommodate their needs. “I encourage all Montanans 55 and older to participate in the survey,” Meier said. “We’d really like to hear from as many people as possible so that we can bet...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Adam Meier announced today that new online resources have been added to ParentingMontana.org for parents or those in a parenting role. The new resources include podcasts featuring parenting experts, guidance and information about teens and marijuana and other drug misuse, and more tools and resources covering vital topics such as stress and childhood trauma. “Parents and those in a parenting role are the most important influence in a child’s life, and we know, for example, tha...
Montana health care providers can now offer third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to certain immunocompromised individuals following new recently announced federal recommendations. “This is great news because we know the impact COVID-19 has with high-risk groups,” DPHHS Director Adam Meier said. “The updated recommendations will ensure those most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 can get as much protection as possible.” Meier said while authorized vaccines have proven to be more than 90% effective in protecting against...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) reminds Montanans to be aware this spring about the risk of hantavirus. Health officials say that hantavirus infection can occur during any month, but spring and summer months pose the highest risk for exposure as people clean cabins, outbuildings and campers or begin spring and summer recreation activities outdoors and come in contact with mouse and rat nesting materials. “Before you start cleaning garages, sheds or dusting off your camping gear, it is important to look for evidence o...
As Montanans look to enjoy the great outdoors this spring and summer, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and local public health officials urge everyone to follow a few simple steps to prevent tick bites and their illnesses: Limit, repel, and inspect. State public health officials receive an average of eight tick-borne illness reports every year, the most common being Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and Colorado Tick Fever. “The best defense against tick-borne illnesses is by spraying your legs, ankles, p...
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is encouraging Montana teens to participate in next week’s National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW). Teenagers have joined forces with other teens and scientists across the nation as part of a week-long health observance, organized at the federal level by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The event takes place January 25 through Sunday, January 31. According to Vicki Turner of the DPHHS Prevention Resource Center, N...
In Montana, arthritis impacts the lives of thousands of adults. Recent statistics show this condition currently impacts 27 percent, or 215,000 Montana adults. Additionally, 31 percent of adults with arthritis report they are not physically active. Fortunately, the Department of Public and Health and Human Services (DPHHS) offers programs that help people with arthritis become more active. “People living with arthritis and other chronic conditions need to know that there are resources available to them to help lessen their pain and improve t...
The site of a newborn lamb taking its first breath, or a chick pecking through its shell to explore a brand new world are annual events that capture the curiosity of all ages, but especially our youth. That’s why the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Department of Livestock are collaborating again this year to help prevent illnesses transmitted from animals to humans. “We encourage fun and safe interactions with animals,” said DPHHS epidemiologist Dana Fejes. “Connecting with animals allows children of all ages to...
Carroll College head football coach Mike Van Diest has compiled impressive stats over the years. In over 16 years at the helm for the Fighting Saints, Van Diest has six NAIA National Championships and 186 wins. But, outside football, there’s one particular statistic that really caught his attention. “There are 500 new cases of colorectal cancer in Montana each year. And, it’s also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.,” Van Diest said. “These numbers really hit me hard.” That’s why Van Diest is lending his voice to a ne...
