The public health unit of Dodge County Human Services and Health Department has only identified the victim as an adult, citing respect for the family and patient confidentiality laws.
Jody Langfeldt, public health officer, said the public health unit was notified Wednesday of the death by State Health Services. She said it appears the victim sought medical attention at a local hospital before he or she succumbed to the illness.
Langfeldt said it's unclear if the victim was a healthy adult, or if there was a pre-existing health condition that could have contributed to his or her death.
"It sounds like there may have been an underlying condition, but I can't confirm that one way or another," she said.
Despite the recent death, Langfeldt still considers H1N1 to be a "relatively mild disease."
"Overall, there has not been an increase in its virulence or strength ... It's going to be more serious for a certain segment of the population, but it remains a relatively mild disease at this point," she said.
Public health officials have warned that young children and people who have underlying medical conditions could be at the highest risk for H1N1 complications. Vaccination is the best protection, however, public health officials are still scrambling to secure enough for a mass clinic. A limited vaccination clinic is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dodgeland Schools. It will only target pregnant women, those who live or work with kids under six months of age, any child six months to four years old, health care providers who have direct patient contact and any child from five to 18 years old that are a higher risk for influenza complications due to chronic illness.
"We're really asking people to police themselves ... we hope people will consider whether or not they belong in one of those targeted groups for vaccines. If they don't we're really asking them not to come to the clinic on Saturday," Langfeldt said.
However, Langfeldt anticipates that within a few weeks there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to be immunized. In the meantime, it's important for everyone to maintain basic preventative measures - hand washing, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes -to stop the spread of germs.
amartin@capitalnewspapers.com