Officials from Concordia University at Mequon suspect a student at the university has been infected with meningococcal bacteria and lab reports are expected today from St. Mary’s Ozaukee Campus to confirm or reject the infection.

The student was hospitalized Friday with symptoms suggesting the rare disease known to cause several complications that can result in death.

Spokesperson for Concordia University Heido Fendos said students have been informed of the threat and been told to visit a doctor if they had contact with the student. The identity has been kept private at the behest of the student’s parents.

“University officials will continue to provide updates on our emergency [dateline],” Fendos said.

Despite meningitis’ relative rarity, its presence has been well heard for several years and infections have resulted in death.

Deaths have occurred at several University of Wisconsin System schools, including the Madison, Whitewater, Eau Claire and River Falls campuses, throughout the past three years.

According to UW professor of medicine Dennis Maki, college students have a risk two to three times higher than the rest of the average population because of constant close contact in areas like dormitories and classrooms.

However, according to Maki, it is still very rare because only one in every 100,000 individuals actually gets meningitis. He added that in the United States, there are only about 2,500 cases per year. Additionally, many people have been receiving a vaccine that prevents 50 to 60 percent of attacks from the bacteria.

Maki said several of the symptoms are very similar to those caused by influenza. Symptoms include severe headache, shaking chills, high fever and rash.

Maki said a Madison student was killed by the disease in one tragic incident. Papers highlighting a possible vaccination treatment were discovered in the student’s bedroom after his death.

Still, Maki said a recent vaccine could be very effective in fighting the disease.

In January, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new meningococcal vaccine called Menactra. Tests show the new vaccine can prevent all forms of meningitis, whereas former doses could only protect against four of the five least-threatening forms of meningitis. The vaccine would protect an individual for eight to 10 years. In fact, many hope the use of Menactra will help extinguish the spread of meningitis in the United States.

“I think that’s a vaccine that will probably rapidly become [a vaccination that] ought to be given to all children,” Maki said.