Wisconsin

Mosquitos carrying West Nile virus confirmed in Wisconsin after blood donor tests positive

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2024

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Mosquitos carrying West Nile virus confirmed in Wisconsin after blood donor tests positive

The first report of West Nile virus activity has been confirmed in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Monday that a healthy blood donor from Washington County had a blood screening that tested positive for the virus. Also, a dead bird in Chippewa County tested positive for the virus.

The DHS said the recent activity confirms there are mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Wisconsin. It’s not labeling the activity as a case.

“The positive blood donor is not considered a human case because they never developed any symptoms of West Nile Virus, which is required to be a probable or confirmed case,” the DHS said in a press release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 80 percent of people infected with the virus don’t show symptoms.

Is more West Nile Virus activity expected in Wisconsin?

Elizabeth Goodsitt, DHS communications specialist, said West Nile virus is at its peak activity in Wisconsin, with August and September consistently having the highest reported activity.

“Most likely, we will see the first human West Nile virus disease case in the next few weeks and additional infections in animals or mosquitoes,” Goodsitt said in an email statement.

How severe is West Nile virus?

It’s rare in the United States for West Nile virus to become severe.

Only one in 150 reported cases have led to severe illness affecting the central nervous system, according to Goodsitt. Severe illness can lead to brain damage or even death.

Where in the United States has West Nile virus been confirmed?

The CDC states as of July 30, West Nile virus has been confirmed in 21 states, not including Wisconsin. Most of the states are in the South and Midwest. The map can be found on the CDC website.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?

Goodsitt said most people who test positive for the virus are asymptomatic.

One in five cases report having mild symptoms such as fever, rash, muscle aches, joint pain and nausea.

In very rare cases, severe illness can occur. Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, confusion and disorientation.

Goodsitt said people over age 60 are at greater risk for severe illness (2%) if they’re infected. People with other medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants are also at greater risk.

How does West Nile virus spread?

West Nile virus spreads through mosquito bites. The DHS urges Wisconsinites to be cautious of mosquitos. Goodsitt said mosquito bites can be prevented a number of ways:

Avoid mosquito breeding sites. A map of the sites can be found on the DHS website.
Apply an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
Treat clothing with permethrin before heading outdoors but don’t apply permethrin directly to the skin.
Wear long sleeves, long pants and long socks to prevent exposed skin.
Consider rescheduling outdoor activities.

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Wisconsin

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, the town of Sister Bay is a waterfront town directly on Green Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Sister Bay for its access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and water pursuits such as boating, fishing, and ice-skating during winter. The town hosts a number of seasonal festivals including a film fest, marina fest, outdoor concert series, and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The annual Roofing of the Goats Parade is a popular event tied to Al Johnson’s, a local restaurant known for goats that graze on its rooftop during summer months.

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Wisconsin

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

Published

17 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.

We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.

There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)

Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).

Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).

Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).

Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).

Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).

Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).

Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).

Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).

Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).

Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).

Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).

Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).

Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).

Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).

Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).

Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).

Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).

Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).

Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).

Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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