Mineral County Health Department

08/26/2026

Head lice is a common problem, especially among school-aged children and their families. The lice can attach to the hair of anyone's head. It doesn't matter if the hair is clean or dirty. Head lice nuisance, they don't cause serious illness or carry any diseases. Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot jump, hop, or fly. Head lice are spread most commonly by direct head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact. However, much less frequently they are spread by sharing clothing or belongings onto which lice have crawled or nits attached to shed hairs may have fallen.

Remind kiddos to:
🪮Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).
🪮Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
🪮Do not share combs, brushes, or towels.
🪮Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.

For more information, please MCHD’s website for a flyer on lice. It is located under ‘School Nursing Services’. We have also included a YouTube video link (watch from 2:35-5:57) that shows an effective method for combing hair to remove lice and nits (eggs). *This video isn’t intended to promote any one product.

https://co.mineral.mt.us/departments/health-department/
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zY4Nvab6uLM&si=uo1LSlS-QVNpT5Ay

08/21/2026

Foraging for wild edible mushrooms requires accurate mushroom 🍄 identification. Some wild mushrooms can cause serious illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and organ failure — which can be deadly.

🔎 Use CHECK as a quick guide to help you forage safely and confidently.
For more information about collecting mushrooms for identification, visit Montana State University’s Collecting Fungi and Mushrooms for Identification page, provided by the Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory.

https://urbanipm.montana.edu/.../submitting-mushrooms.html

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Does your student need medication at school? Make sure you contact your school nurse BEFORE school starts so your student can start the year safely.

08/17/2026

📚A healthy school year starts with a little preparation. Schedule annual wellness visits, dental checkups, and make sure your child's immunizations are up to date.
📚Establish healthy routines before school starts, including consistent sleep schedules, nutritious meals, physical activity, and limited screen time.
📚Find back-to-school health resources, including immunization information and forms, on the State of Montana School Health Program website.

📚Access MT DPHHS links:
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MTDPHHS-4244eb8?wgt_ref=MTDPHHS_WIDGET_1

08/13/2026

Enjoy a local beach with caregivers of children ages 0-5. Bring beach toys and a life vest, pack a lunch, and water bottle. It’s a steep hike down to the beach so wear sturdy shoes.

08/03/2026

Diarrhea and Swimming Don't Mix

🤿Even in well-maintained, regularly inspected pools, some resilient germs can survive. Specifically, Cryptosporidium—a parasite that can live in water, food, soil, or on surfaces contaminated with infected feces—causes watery diarrhea and can survive in chlorinated pool water for several days.
💦Because we all share the water we swim, play, and relax in, healthy swimming behaviors are essential. Keep children out of the water if they have diarrhea, avoid swallowing pool water, take frequent bathroom breaks, and always use designated diaper-changing areas.
🏊‍♀️In 2025, Montana documented four separate Cryptosporidium outbreaks. You can learn more about protecting your family and preventing diarrheal illnesses at the CDC's Healthy Swimming Page.

08/03/2026

MCHC, JLMC, and MCHD are here to help with all your kiddo's back-to-school healthcare needs!

Call today to schedule an appointment:
📞 MCHC: 406-822-4803
📞 JLMC: 406-649-7307
📞 MCHD: 406-822-3564

Now is a great time to get your child ready for the school year with:
✅ Well-child exams
✅ Vaccinations

Schedule your appointment today and start the school year healthy and prepared!

07/29/2026

Plan for a safe and sober ride home during the Mineral County Fair Superior, Mt.

Mineral County DUI Task Force is sponsoring FREE taxi rides home Friday the 31st, and Saturday the 1st, from 8 pm to 3 am.

Pick-up location at main entrance gate. Drop off between Alberton, Superior, and St. Regis. First come, first served. Taxi driver has the right to refuse service.

07/29/2026

Enjoy story time with our Mother Goose on the Loose storyteller, Laura Acker, at the Mineral County Fair Superior, Mt on Thursday, July 30, at 4 pm.