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Public Health
The mission of the Sanders County Health Department is to protect, improve, and preserve the health and well being of the citizens of Sanders County.
Stay Safe, Sanders County
Be cautious! To protect yourself and others, please follow the following simple measures:
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this each time you use the restroom, and before you eat.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough and sneezes with the crook of your elbow or a tissue.
- Avoid contact with sick people when possible.
- Stay home if you're sick: If you are having symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your healthcare provider.
Flu Walk-In Clinic
WALK-IN CLINIC (starting 9/30/24)
Public Health Dept
1111 Main St. Rm 120, Thompson Falls
Mondays (excluding holidays)
3 pm – 5 pm
Call 406-827-6931 to confirm clinic schedule
Nationally certified technicians are on staff to teach parents and caregivers all they can do to prevent unintentional injuries in and around cars. Call (406)827-6931 to schedule the following:
- Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat
- Check that your child is in the proper size car seat or booster seat
- You may be able to receive a new car seat or booster seat free of charge - for more information contact 406-827-6931.
Call today to schedule an appointment 406-827-6931
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Prevention: There are many ways to prevent the spread of disease. Vaccinations have helped eliminate or greatly reduce disease threats. Proper handwashing, especially before and after handling food and using the toilet, helps keep germs at bay. Other important ways to slow or stop disease transmission are by ensuring the food we eat and water we drink is safe, avoiding people who are sick, and practicing safe sex.
Some diseases spread from one person to another while others can spread from animal to person. Some are spread through the air, by touch, or through bodily fluids. Some diseases may produce mild symptoms; others can be lethal. Communicable diseases are passed between people by having direct contact with an infected person, contact with an infected person’s fluids, or indirectly by a vector (a tick or mosquito). The Communicable Disease Program at Sanders County Public Health works with local healthcare providers to prevent, identify, and limit the spread of those diseases. The state of Montana requires local health departments to follow-up on over 40 different diseases/conditions (see Reportable Disease List below).
Depending on the disease, our goal may be to identify the source of infection, identify high-risk contacts, facilitate treatment, and/or provide education to the public. There are many reasons you may receive a call from a communicable disease specialist:
- Identification of community exposures. For reportable food borne illnesses it is important to ensure there is not a common food source causing illness. We will ask for a list of foods eaten, recreational water and animal exposure. The information from ill contacts and results from stool samples help gather evidence to point to potential sources.
- Identifying high-risk contacts. Depending on the disease, we may be able to protect people who are at high risk for complications. For example, when we call someone with pertussis we will ask about their contact with children under 12 months, pregnant women, or immunocompromised people. We can get in touch with those people and talk with their providers about prophylactic antibiotics.
- Prevention and education. Some diseases such a malaria and Lyme disease are not found in Montana. We will ask people about travel to other states and countries so CDC can have accurate data about where people are getting sick with diseases.
- To keep diseases from spreading. The Food Code mandates food workers to not prepare or serve food when they are sick with certain diseases. For example, if you are a food worker and diagnosed with salmonella we can work with you and your job so your supervisor understands what work you are able to do until you are no longer contagious. An outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease in a school or daycare setting may require children who are not vaccinated to be excluded until there is no longer transmission of the disease in that setting.
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- Confidentiality
- Epidemiology
- Foodborne/Waterborne Illness
- Latent Tuberculosis
- Regulations and Reporters per ARM
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- What is Considered a Potential Exposure to Rabies
Sanders County Communicable Disease Surveillance Protocol 2023 (PDF)
Public Health emergencies can arise anywhere. Infectious disease, natural and man-made disasters, including terrorism, can impact Sanders County at any time. Our local emergency preparedness program works to prepare for and respond to health emergencies, coordinate local surveillance and response systems, and keep Sanders County citizens informed of any public health related emergencies.
Sanders County PHEP Master Contract 2022-2023 (PDF)
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The Sanders County Health Department is currently offering a Vaccine Clinic on Mondays (excluding holidays). Vaccines offered include all general vaccines and flu vaccines clinic. Please contact our office at 406-827-6931 for appointment.
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We offer Developmental Screenings, Women Infant and Children (WIC) Nutrition Services, Immunizations, Communicable Disease Counseling, and Infant Feeding Support (breastfeeding/pumping/chest feeding and formula).
Sanders County WIC has a Certified Lactation Consultant available for any questions or concerns with Breastfeeding. Call 827-6931