Formatting a USB that has a virus on it

[newtusmaximus]

So back to the original post.  How do you know the usb is infected?  What "scanner " found the virus/malware and what was reported.
  If the "infection" is a known identified virus, then look up it mode of action.  Will it have infected the firmware of the USB.  If so Sprintrdrivers comments are valid.  If however the "infection" is  just on the usb as an entity. then formatting should not be a problem.  If in doubt, install clamav/clamtk on the LL computer, and scan the usb for yourself.  Then report back??.  Otherwise use one of the online scanners using a Windows OS PC  i.e https://www.eset.com/uk/home/online-scanner/