SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. -- The opening of a Sonoma County summer camp this week was put on hold because of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

Health officials identified as many as 15 suspected cases of the virus among staff members at Camp Newman-Swig, a religious camp located in the hills between Santa Rosa and Calistoga.

The camp was set to open Wednesday, welcoming the first of 1,400 children expected to attend this summer. But camp employees started feeling ill earlier this week.

Sonoma County Public Health Officer Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez says two camp employees had probable cases, and 13 others are suspected of contracting the H1N1 virus.

"Fortunately in this situation the cases have been mild, relatively mild," Maddux-Gonzalez told KTVU. "Several of the individuals have already recovered from their flu symptoms and we've had no hospitalizations."

The camp employees were told to not discuss the outbreak and the property owners, Union for Reform Judaism, did not return our calls. In an online message to parents, the camp said “After consulting with medical professionals and the leadership of the Union for Reform Judaism we have determined that is wise to delay the opening camp and to demonstrate an abundance of caution.”

The voluntary delay in opening Camp Newman, according to the county health department, is in line with recommendations from the centers for disease control which just recently released recommendation on how to handle the H1N1 virus in a campground setting.

It is unclear how the virus made its way into the camp or when it will reopen.