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State health officials are raising awareness about the health risks associated with raising backyard birds. Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) epidemiologist Rachel Hinnenkamp said that while raising backyard birds has become an increasingly popular activity in the state, there are health risks to be aware of. She said live poultry can carry germs such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause humans to get sick with symptoms including diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, an...
Students from throughout Montana will be gathering at Montana State University-Billings in the Student Union Building from June 13-15 to participate in the Reach Higher Montana Summit for Youth in Foster Care. Hosted by nonprofit Reach Higher Montana and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), the free summit provides an opportunity for youth in foster care to prepare for life after high school — whether that includes being on track to graduate from high school, preparing and going on to postsecondary education or s...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Adam Meier announced the agency has completed an overall organizational health assessment that will guide the agency’s restructuring plan. Over the past several months, Meier has worked in partnership with DPHHS leadership, researched other states, and has drawn on his own background to identify areas where improvements can be made and where the agency can better target limited resources. The result is a revised organizational structure. The general focus of the identified c...
Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Sheila Hogan sent this notification to the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee regarding MAR Notice No. 37-923: I’m writing to notify you that the department is withdrawing MAR Notice No. 37-923 from consideration and will not be adopting the proposed rules. After this week’s interim committee meeting it is apparent that more education and collaboration is necessary to protect Montana kids from the epidemic of e-cigarette use through this proposed rule, in spi...
The Montana Children’s Trust Fund’s (MT CTF) “Not Even for a Minute” Campaign encourages parents and caregivers to never leave children unattended in or around vehicles. Leaving a child alone in a vehicle for even a short amount of time can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, overheating, hyperthermia, injury, abduction and even death. “This is an issue that needs the close attention of all parents and caregivers to prevent these tragedies from occurring,” said “Not Even for a Minute” Campaign organizer Melissa Lavinder, MT CTF. Since 1998, a tota...
Many Montanans will be enjoying summer fairs in the coming months. And, with that opportunity presents the chance to visit exhibits such as petting zoos that allow people of all ages the thrilling experience of coming face-to-face with animals. But, those experiences do involve some health risks. “Sometimes, even healthy animals can carry organisms that make people sick,” said Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Tahnee Szymanski of the Department of Livestock (DOL). Young children and persons who have weakened immune systems are at greatest ris...
State and local public health officials are seeing an early start to the influenza season. While the season usually doesn’t begin until October, Montana has had early influenza reports from six counties: Yellowstone, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Beaverhead and Broadwater Counties. Most of the early cases can be traced to travelers who have returned to Montana with the illness but some local transmission is now occurring. With local transmission occurring, it is important to get vaccinated against influenza now. Influenza can be s...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is reporting multiple outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, primarily norovirus, prompting state health officials to issue advice on steps everyone can take to stay healthy this winter. “Norovirus is easily spread, but there are easy ways to limit further outbreaks by following basic prevention tips, such as proper hand washing with soap and water several times a day,” said DPHHS Director Richard Opper. “This is the most effective way to protect yourself and others against norovirus....
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is launching a new program this month that aims to reduce the sale of alcohol to minors in Montana. The Alcohol Reward and Reminder Program is an evidenced-based program developed to educate and/or reward local businesses for their efforts to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. It’s part of a five-year grant recently awarded to DPHHS called the Partnership for Success Grant, which addresses the prevention of underage drinking among 12 to 20-year-olds. “Underage drinking is a ser...
The Montana Children’s Trust Fund is promoting the ‘Not Even for a Minute’ campaign that reminds parents and caregivers to never leave children unattended in or around vehicles. Left alone in a vehicle for even a short time, a child is in danger of heatstroke, dehydration, overheating, hyperthermia, injury, abduction and even death. Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials said no child should ever be put in that situation. “There have been deaths and several close calls over the years in Montana, so it’s something...
State and local public health officials are reminding Montanans to be aware of the risks of infection with West Nile virus (WNV) and to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. As the weather becomes warmer and drier in July, mosquitoes capable of transmitting WNV emerge. Since the arrival of WNV in Montana in 2002, over 90 percent of cases in humans have been reported in August and September. “The best way to prevent West Nile virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites,” said Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Ric...
State officials are encouraging parents to talk to their new and young drivers about making smart choices once they get behind the wheel. The Interagency Coordinating Council on State Prevention Programs (ICC) Work Group is asking parents to reinforce with young drivers these simple, live-saving driving tips: ·All occupants must wear a seat belt. ·Obey the speed limit. ·Know your limits and do not drive when you’re tired, while texting or impaired by alcohol and/or other substances. “An accident can occur in a split second, whether it’s y...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is sending an important message to elementary school children this month: play it safe while out enjoying fun in the water this summer. To help reinforce this message, DPHHS recently sent educational materials to all Montana elementary schools to help children learn more about water-related illness and injuries. DPHHS is also sponsoring a poster contest so children can creatively illustrate what they learned from the outreach materials. Numerous prizes will be awarded for the best...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials say that more than 1 in 4 adult Montanans report having arthritis. Fortunately, there are programs in Montana to help address this issue. The Montana Arthritis Program collaborates with sites across the state to implement the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, the Walk with Ease Program and Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Anyone is eligible to participate in these classes, which are held year round. “The goals of the Montana Arthritis Program are...
The Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is joining the states of Washington and Idaho in advising people NOT to eat raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC of Idaho. The sprouts have been linked to an outbreak of ten illness as of Escherichia coli, or E. coli, in Idaho and Washington. No confirmed cases have been reported in Montana at this time. “Memorial Day weekend is a time people get together and eat, and enjoy the beauty of Montana. We are advising caution by urging folks not to eat these specific s...
Officials with the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) said today that hackers gained entry to an agency computer server, though officials said there is no knowledge that information on the server was used inappropriately, or was even accessed. The server contained personal client information that may have included names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, dates of service, as well as clinical information. DPHHS employee payroll information was also on the affected server and the information included...
State and local public health officials remind Montanans to be aware of the risk for exposure to rabies this time of year when the likelihood of interactions with wild animals increases. “Be smart this spring and summer and take time to learn a few basic tips that will protect you and your family,” said Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Richard Opper. To avoid possible exposures, keep the following rabies prevention tips in mind: Do not feed or handle wild animals, especially bats. Teach children never to tou...
In May, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Montana and nationwide. According to state public health officials, WIC was launched 40 years ago in Montana as a pilot program on the Northern Cheyenne and Fort Peck Indian Reservations. Currently, the federally-funded program has grown to 90 clinics located in various Montana communities and all seven Indian Reservations. “It’s well documented that WIC plays a vital role in the health of Montana’s at-risk women...
The Interagency Coordinating Council on State Prevention Programs (ICC) Work Group is urging local communities and organizations to take advantage of numerous free resources available to help reduce underage drinking in Montana. The ICC has joined with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in highlighting the critical public health issue of underage drinking in America. According to Vicki Turner of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Prevention Resource Center, several of the ICC participating agencies...
As Montana slowly transitions into spring, state health officials remind Montanans to take steps to avoid Hantavirus. In a typical year, about 1-2 cases of Hantavirus are reported to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). However, DPHHS officials say there are several studies showing the deer mice populations in Montana are consistently infected with the virus. In fact, Montana has reported 37 cases since 1993, when the virus was first recognized, making the state second only to New Mexico in the rate of reported cases....
Each year, 500 Montanans develop colorectal cancer, and 180 Montanans die from the disease. During the month of March, one of Montana Cancer Control Programs’ efforts will be to remind people of ways to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, a disease that affects the lower digestive system. Regular colorectal screenings leads the list of ways to remain free of the disease. “The screenings are very effective at finding colorectal cancer in its earliest stages,” says Laura Williamson, cancer epidemiologist for the Department of Public Healt...
State health officials report that as of January 11, 2014 there have been 156 Montanans hospitalized for influenza-related conditions so far this flu season. Most of these hospitalizations are recent as 139 of them have occurred since Dec. 15. These numbers reflect DPHHS influenza surveillance for the 2013-14 season, which officially began on October 1, 2013. “Many of these hospitalizations could have been prevented since a majority of these people were not vaccinated against influenza,” said Department of Public Health and Human Services (DP...
Influenza activity is widespread in Montana with half of the counties reporting confirmed cases, state public health officials said today. Influenza-related hospitalizations across the state have also increased. As of January 4, 2014 there have been 101 hospitalizations reported this season, with over half in the last two weeks. Further, one death from complications of influenza was reported last week in Hill County. DPHHS influenza surveillance for the 2013-14 season officially began on October 1, 2013. “It is important that all individuals o...
Food is an important part of many holiday celebrations. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) offers these reminders to help ensure the holiday season is free of illness from food. Holiday food safety has six basic components: 1. Wash hands 2. Ill people should not handle food 3. Cook food thoroughly 4. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold 5. Clean countertops and food utensils 6. Separate raw animal foods from other foods “Following these basic tips will go a long way in making sure your family and friends are s...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has confirmed the first influenza cases of the season in Gallatin and Flathead Counties. Both counties are reporting two cases each. Public health officials say that these first cases are a great reminder for the public to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible. State, tribal and local public health authorities indicate vaccine is widely available and recommend taking advantage of the vaccine. “Even if you received the vaccine last year, you should still get vaccinated t...
