MT Public Health Laboratory Surveillance
Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to effective treatment of infection. The Montana Public Health Laboratory provides the following information to assist providers, pharmacies, and laboratories in their efforts to manage antibiotic use.
List of isolates required for submission to MTPHL for surveillance purposes
Please refer to the MT Communicable Disease Epidemiology Antimicrobial Stewardship web page.
Guidance Document for Implementation of Antimicrobial Resistance Testing at MTPHL
CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Cooperative agreement (ELC) has requested Public Health Laboratories to collect, confirm, and characterize antimicrobial resistant organisms, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and Candida spp. (especially C. auris). Isolates will be collected from jurisdictional healthcare facilities using a strategy that allows for estimating the burden of antimicrobial resistance within the population served by the Public Health Laboratory. The Public Health Laboratory and state Epidemiologists will collaborate with the state HAI/AR prevention programs and with the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network regional laboratories (ARLN). This Guidance document will identify expectations for testing, submitting, and reporting. Download the complete guidance document.
Influenza Surveillance
The 2025-2026 Influenza season is officially over. Thanks to all the laboratories that contributed specimens to support our surveillance efforts!
Remember that MTPHL will continue to monitor for influenza during the off-season, so if you notice anything unusual, please give us a call at 800-821-7284.
Norovirus Surveillance
Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) needs your help this season to improve our outbreak surveillance regarding Norovirus in Montana. Gastroenteritis outbreaks or any outbreaks that occur in congregate settings such as schools, nursing homes and child cares are reportable and provide a glimpse inside infectious diseases in Montana. DPHHS is asking our partners to do their part to improve our understanding of norovirus in Montana.
