JUNEAU - Dodge County public health officials have confirmed that an adult from Dodge County died last weekend as a result of the H1N1 virus.

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.

"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 said she 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, but public health officials still are scrambling to secure enough for a mass clinic.

A limited vaccination clinic is set for Saturday at Dodgeland Schools. It will target only pregnant women, those who live or work with children younger than 6 months of age, any child 6 months to 4 years old, health-care providers who have direct patient contact and any child from five to 18 years old who are a higher risk for influenza complications due to chronic illness.

A similar clinic will be offered today at Portage High School.

Basic preventative measures - hand washing, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes - can stop the spread of germs.

State health officials Thursday confirmed two more swine flu deaths in Wisconsin.

The state Department of Health Services said the other deaths were in St. Croix and Ozaukee counties. The Ozaukee victim had underlying health conditions.

Department spokesman Seth Boffeli says Thursday the H1N1 flu has contributed to 19 deaths in Wisconsin since spring.

Portage vaccination clinic today for high-risk groups

What: Mass H1N1 vaccination for people in high-risk groups.

When: 2 to 6 p.m. today.

Where: Portage High School, 301 E. Collins St.

Who will qualify: H1N1 vaccinations will be given only to people who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Children age 6 months to 4 years.

• Older children, 5 to 18, who have a chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk for influenza-related complications, such as the following conditions: pulmonary (including asthma), metabolic (including diabetes), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, cardiovascular (except hypertension), immunosuppression caused by medications or long-term aspirin therapy.

• Pregnant women.

• Health-care workers who work in acute-care hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, physicians' offices, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, licensed home health care agencies, emergency medical services or any venue where they might have contact with patients or infectious material.

• People who live with or provide care for infants 6 months old or younger, such as parents, siblings and day-care providers.

Cost: Free.

Forms needed: Parents are asked to bring their children's immunization records. Consent forms for parents and guardians of minor children, and information about the H1N1 vaccines, will be available and also can be downloaded from the Columbia County Web site, www.co.columbia.wi.us.

Where to go, where to park: Clinic attendees should go to and from Portage High School along Collins Road. School will be dismissed in the afternoon, so people going to the clinic are asked to wait to arrive until about 1:30 p.m., to give school cars and buses a chance to exit the parking areas. Park in the lot between John Muir School and the high school. Enter at the main entrance, which is Door No. 1.

More information: Flu vaccination hotline, 742-9735.