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. 

State health officials said Covid-19 also has circulated widely across Montana, with over 9,000 cases, 530 hospitalizations and 55 deaths reported between Oct. 1 and Dec. 30. 

Vaccination remains the best form of protection against serious outcomes of these diseases, such as hospitalization or death due to infection, according to state officials 

To schedule a Covid or flu vaccine appointment with the Flathead City-County Health Department, call 406-751-8110 or visit flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/health.

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing [email protected].