Measles Case Confirmed in Cascade County
The Cascade City-County Health Department has confirmed a measles case in Cascade County. As the health department assesses any potential exposures, Benefis Health System is taking additional precautions to keep patients, staff, and visitors safe.
Read more about the exposure event here.
Benefis is working closely with the City-County Health Department and the State of Montana as part of a community-wide preparedness plan. For the most up-to-date information, visit https://cascadecountymt.gov or https://dphhs.mt.gov.
Measles symptoms include a high fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Symptoms begin seven to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease that can remain in the air and infect others for up to two hours, even after the infected person has left. Those at the greatest risk are infants for whom vaccination is not recommended until 12 months of age and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
What is Benefis doing to prevent exposure?
If you believe you or a loved one has been exposed to measles, DO NOT enter ANY Benefis location. Instead, contact the Cascade City-County Health Department at 406-791-9242.
If you are in need of treatment, experiencing symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, red eyes, fever, or rash AND you believe you may have been exposed to measles, you must call before you arrive.
- Benefis Northwest: 406-455-4777
- Benefis Walk-in Care: 406-731-8300
Clinic staff will give you further instructions on what to do. This is critical to protect other patients, especially those at high risk.
