News

Bozeman, MT [January 17, 2018] — As of 8 a.m. today, visitor restrictions at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital are in effect due to the influenza virus (the flu). People with symptoms of upper respiratory infection (cough, runny, or stuffed nose) or fever, along with children under the age of 12, are asked to refrain from visiting hospitalized patients.

Visitor restrictions are put in place when flu transmission is consistently high in the community. The best way to help prevent the flu is getting the flu vaccine, as even if it does not prevent the flu, it helps to shorten the length of illness. Staying home if you experience flu or flu-like systems, as well as frequent hand-washing, all help prevent flu transmission.

Visitor restrictions help us control the spread of the flu virus in the hospital. The flu is highly contagious and can be a major cause of acute bronchitis and pneumonia. The best defense against the flu is immunization and frequent hand washing.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we care for our patients and work to help keep our community healthy. We will notify the public when visitor restrictions are lifted.