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.

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is being evaluated for a concussion after getting run over by Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in a run play late in today’s joint practice in New York’s practice facility.

The teams were working on red zone plays and the Giants called a run play to the left side. Thomas slipped out to the flat to block and bulldozed Arnold. 

In other health news, Sam LaPorta didn’t practice today as he’s working on a minor issue. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said his star tight end would return soon. He wouldn’t say what the health issue was. 

Safety Brian Branch participated in the workout portion of practice but not any of the contact stuff. He should be ready to hit soon.

Shawn Windsor: Lions ready to hit someone else — respectfully. Hello, New York Giants.

The horrid footage behind a June police shooting in Milwaukee that claimed the life of an unborn baby has just been released by officials. Family members say the video was “extremely scary” to watch.

The controversial traffic stop occurred June 20 at the corner of N. 17th Street and W. Vliet Street, authorities said. Police sought the occupants of the vehicle in connection to two prior attempted armed carjackings. Officials said officers went on a speed chase until the car was blocked inside a construction lane by a cement truck. MPD officers then approached the car giving several commands to the occupants of the car to exit: six teenagers.

Police said the driver, 17-year-old Calveyon Jeans, then reversed the vehicle, hitting the squad car behind it. Jeans then drove forward and reversed again as an officer stood behind the vehicle, police said. Another officer fired into the vehicle striking two of the teens: Jeans and his 18-year-old girlfriend who was six months pregnant, per The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The teens were transported to the hospital for treatment. However, the unborn infant did not survive the injuries, authorities said.

The Police Video

In the police footage released Friday, the vehicle is seen pulled over but speeds off seconds later. The car then makes a U-turn, runs through a light and swerves into the opposite lane. After a few minutes of driving in and out the opposite flow of traffic, the car eventually led the police onto the highway, per the video.

The vehicle then drives into the construction lane and meets a dead-end where a cement truck was parked, according to another dash cam video. The vehicle is seen trying to make a U-turn inside the lane as three officers approached with their guns drawn. Before the vehicle finished turning, one officer fired into the driver’s window. In the video, four to five teens were ordered out of the car and placed in handcuffs. More officers arrived as they cleared the vehicle.

Jeans was escorted out of the car last, appearing to be bloodied, per the video. One officer appears to provide aid to him on the ground. Jeans was unresponsive to the officer’s questions. There were little to no visuals of the pregnant teen being taken out of the car. Officers are heard in the video saying three teens were shot.

The Aftermath

Following the shooting, the department stated the officer who fired the shots was placed on administrative duty. Meanwhile, Jeans’ family are trying to understand why he used the level of force he did.

“I just would not believe that they would use deadly force when he’s simply still just trying to evade police and capture. Nothing about his action showed he was trying to hurt any officer,” said Calvin Jeans, via the Journal Sentinel. He said his son is currently in county jail.

According to the police department’s use of force policy, officers are prohibited from firing at moving vehicles “unless deadly physical force is being used against the police member or another person by means other than a moving vehicle.” The use of force may be justified if the officer perceived the vehicle is being used as a weapon against the officer.

Authorities said the vehicle in question was stolen and a firearm was recovered from inside. Jeans was slammed with nine charges including second-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer and armed robbery. Three other teens, including the pregnant girl, were also slammed with armed robbery charges.