8 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Brown Co.

BROWN COUNTY - Parents at Playmates Childcare in Ashwaubenon found out this weekend, that two children here, and a relative, have tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

"They have not been here since May first," said co-director Kathy Paradise. She said says that was one week before the children showed any symptoms. Paradise said the children's mother works at the facility but has not been tested for the virus. Health officials say the woman she is showing symptoms. The daycare is taking precautions to keep the virus from spreading.

"If any child shows any symptoms, they're sent home. We had one, whether it's the same thing or not, one has been sent home but that's it," Paradise said.

Meanwhile, St. Norbert College now has its fourth confirmed case of the H1N1 virus.

"We are continuing to keep college business as usual," said Dean of Students Mary Oling-Sisay. She also said students are being updated on the cases and the campus is undergoing more cleaning than usual.

State-wide, Wisconsin continues to have the second most confirmed cases in the country. Brown County health director Judy Friederichs said the numbers in Wisconsin may be high, but that's likely because of the amount of testing being done. She said the most important thing for people isn't the numbers, but the reality that H1N1 is here.

"People should assume that the risk is out there and they need to continue to take the precautions we've recommended," Friederichs said.

That includes things like washing your hands and staying home if you're sick.

"Our concern is that if people don't take the measures to stop the spread of this illness now, as the seasonal flu returns in the fall to our area, we will be dealing with perhaps even more illness and different severities," said De Pere Health Officer Mary Dorn.

Kathy Paradise said she thinks H1N1 is just like any other flu.

"It will run it's course. As long as everyone does what they're supposed to do. If you're sick stay home and it'll run it's course and be done is a short time," Paradise said.

Friederichs said now that H1N1 is in the community, testing will likely be limited to people who are most severely ill. Basically, she said, they're starting to treat H1N1 more like the seasonal flu. But she added, it is still a serious virus.

In all, Brown County has 8 confirmed cases, 54 tests are pending and 72 tests came back negative.