State health officials report first pediatric flu death of 2023-24 season

A Big Horn County child has died of the flu, the first pediatric death of the 2023-24 flu season in Montana, state health officials say.

The minor’s death marks the 11th influenza-related death in Montana as of Jan. 5, according to a state Department of Public Health and Human Services press release issued Tuesday. 

The state is experiencing widespread flu activity with cases and outbreaks reported in 49 out of 56 counties. State health officials reported nearly 6,000 cases of influenza and about 300 influenza-related hospitalizations between Oct. 1 and Dec. 30. In Montana, surveillance for flu season runs from Oct. 1 to June 1.