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Articles written by Valley County Health Department


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  • COVID Additional Dose Recommended For Those 65 And Older

    Valley County Health Department, For the Courier

    CDC and ACIP now recommend that all persons aged ≥65 years receive one additional dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine – the same vaccine that they might have received fall 2023. Anyone with an immune system compromising illness and adults aged ≥65 years should receive an additional dose of the updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine to enhance their immunity and decrease the risk for severe COVID-19–associated illness. SARS-CoV-2 virus circulates throughout the year, and adults aged ≥65 years all persons with chronic...

  • West Nile Virus: Use Protection. Avoid Infection

    Valley County Health Department, For the Courier|Jul 6, 2022

    West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. WNV is usually spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes carry the virus after they become infected from feeding on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can spread WNV to humans and other animals that they bite. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through the fall. WNV has no vaccine to prevent infection. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV (eight out of 10) do not feel sick. About one in...

  • COVID Cases Increase In Valley County

    Valley County Health Department, For the Courier|May 18, 2022

    Valley County Health Department has received reports confirming twelve (12) positive COVID persons. Symptoms began May 7 through this past weekend, which means that these persons were contagious in our community beginning May 5. Each of these twelve (12) persons have been sick enough to seek medical care. Please - if you have any symptoms, if you think it’s just a cold or allergies - stay home. COVID is transmitted by breathing - everyone breathes and ANYONE can easily catch this highly infectious disease. VCHD has MANY free tests to give a...

  • What Happens In The Brain Of A Nicotine User?

    Valley County Health Department, For the Courier|Apr 20, 2022

    Editor’s Note: This is part two of a four-part series regarding nicotine use and stress. The first part was printed in the April 13, 2022, edition of the Glasgow Courier. When a smoker puffs on a cigarette, nicotine is carried into the lungs via smoke particles where it is absorbed into blood and makes its way quickly to the brain. Once [it hits] the brain, nicotine increases the release of dopamine, a chemical that signals pleasure, which keeps them addicted to nicotine. Why Do So Many Tobacco Users Think That Nicotine Alleviates Stress? N...

  • Valley County COVID Update

    Valley County Health Department, For the Courier|Mar 3, 2021

    As of 3/01/2021 at 6:15 p.m. the following was Valley County’s COVID-19 status. A good faith effort to protect individuals from the spread of coronavirus is expected of all Montanans. This is accomplished by following clear public health guidelines and these prevention measures: *Wearing a mask or two layer face covering in public at all times. *Remaining 6 feet away from persons who are not members of your household to socially distance. *Frequently using hand sanitizer and sanitizing surfaces. Please do your part to protect each other! A...