Officials Investigating Bloodstream Infection linked to 18 Deaths in Wisconsin

A team of federal, state and local investigators are looking for the source of a bacterial bloodstream infection linked to 18 deaths in southern Wisconsin. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has sent a team of investigators to Wisconsin to found out how the bacteria, Elizabethkingia, has infected 44 people. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says the majority of those infected are over age 65, and all have serious underlying health conditions.   The 18 people who died tested positive for the bacteria, but it is unknown if their deaths were caused by the infection, their health conditions, or both. 

Health officials say symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, chills, or a bacterial skin infection.