Wisconsin
Mosquitos carrying West Nile virus confirmed in Wisconsin after blood donor tests positive
Leading symptoms of West Nile Virus, explained
West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with the highest concentration in the Midwest. Here’s how to tell if you’re infected.
USA TODAY
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.
Wisconsin guard Andrew Rohde reflects on early March Madness exit
Wisconsin guard Andrew Rohde said the Badgers ‘thought we could do so many things’ in the NCAA Tournament before it ended abrupty with an upset loss.
Wisconsin men’s basketball has added a sharpshooting wing via the transfer portal.
Miami (Ohio) transfer Eian Elmer has signed with the Badgers, the team announced April 18. The 6-foot-7 wing will join UW with one year of eligibility remaining.
Elmer averaged a career-high 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 49.8% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range in 2025-26. His production helped the RedHawks go 32-2 and earn an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.
“We are really excited to add another excellent addition to our spring signees,” UW coach Greg Gard said in a release. “Eian brings a wealth of experience and scoring punch as a 6-7 wing. … A terrific shooter, his skillset and production fit excellently into our plan as we build out next year’s team. Throughout our evaluation process, our staff loved his size, power and skill and truly believe he will thrive in our system.”
Elmer is Wisconsin’s third transfer portal addition since the end of the 2025-26 season, joining former George Washington guard Trey Autry and former Hofstra forward Victory Onuetu. UW also added Australian guard Owen Foxwell.
The additions of Autry, Onuetu and now Elmer leave Gard’s staff with three more roster spots to fill ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Badgers are looking to replace much of their production from a 2025-26 team that went 24-11. Nolan Winter is expected to be the team’s only returning starter after John Blackwell and Aleksas Bieliauskas entered the transfer portal and Nick Boyd and Andrew Rohde exhausted their eligibility.
MILWAUKEE – Friday’s severe storms have passed. And with that, the threat of any severe weather has also passed for the immediate future as no storms or rain are expected for several days.
However, plenty of damage remains across southeastern Wisconsin as of Saturday morning, in addition to the ongoing flooding threat.
Several area rivers are at flood stage, and there are multiple river flood warnings in effect.
FOX6 Weekend WakeUp on Saturday begins at 6 a.m.
On the scene in the morning
What we know:
Farmstead damage in Franklin
FOX6’s Hayley Spitler is in Franklin on Saturday morning, April 18, getting a daylight look at the damage from last night’s storms.
Storm damage in Caledonia
Friday’s storms left quite the mark across southern and southeastern Wisconsin, including at L and L Farms and Greenhouse in Caledonia.
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
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School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
The Source: Information in this post was compiled by the FOX6 Weather Experts.
How Aleksas Bieliauskas has grown in first season with Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard has high praise for Aleksas Bieliauskas about a month into the Lithuania native’s freshman season.
MADISON – One of Wisconsin men’s basketball’s departing transfers is headed to an SEC program with some connections to the Badgers.
Ex-UW forward Aleksas Bieliauskas has committed to South Carolina, he announced on April 17.
Bieliauskas left the Badgers after appearing in all 35 games as a freshman and making 28 starts. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 points in 20.2 minutes, and highlights of his freshman year included his five 3-pointers in UW’s upset over eventual national champion Michigan.
He’ll join a program with plenty of Wisconsin ties. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris was an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 2010-17 on Bo Ryan and Greg Gard’s staffs. South Carolina assistant coach Tanner Bronson and director of video services Roman DiPasquale also are UW alumni.
Bieliauskas is the second of UW’s four departing transfers to commit to a new school. Reserve forward Jack Robison committed to North Dakota State on April 15. Starting guard John Blackwell and reserve forward Riccardo Greppi have not announced their next schools yet.
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