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Mysterious blood infection has killed 18 in Wisconsin

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Still unknown how it was contracted

A blood infection has killed 18 people in Wisconsin, but how they got it remains a mystery.

The Centers for Disease Control are trying to find out how more than 40 people have become infected by Elizabethkingia, which causes fever, chills, and shortness of breath.

Eighteen people in the state tested positive for the bacteria after they died, but it’s not known if the infection caused their deaths. 

Dr. Todd Kowalski from Gundersen Health System in La Crosse says the bacteria mostly causes illness among people 65-and-over, who have other health problems.

The closest that the illness has come to La Crosse is the Portage area.

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.

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