UW-Madison student dies form meningitis

The family of UW-Madison senior is mourning her loss after a rare infection claimed her life.

Neha Suri was rushed to the hospital last week and was diagnosed with a bacterial meningitis infection. She was placed in a medically induced coma and passed away Tuesday.

As soon as the news broke, messages to Neha Suri's friends and family started appearing on her caringbridge.org page.

Some were short and offered their condolences. Others were longer like one from a woman who says her son died in 2002 while attending UW.

On campus most were still dealing with the day's news.

"I think there's an element of deep sadness," said Dean of Students Lori Berquam.

She met with several of Suri's friends. She says the reality of it all is still sinking in for them.

"I think the impact is setting in in terms of now the loss of their friend, their house mate, their class mate and that realization I think is painful," said Berquam.

Suri was very active on campus. She was a double major in Journalism and Political Science, writing for the Daily Cardinal campus newspaper and serving as an intern at the Capitol.

"The most important thing I think for our campus is stopping to mark the and mourn the loss of this remarkable young woman," said Sarah Van Orman, the Executive Director of University Health Services.

But officials also don't want students to worry. Van Orman says bacterial meningitis is rare and even students who had casual contact with Suri are not in danger.

"The vast, vast majority of cases are sporadic such as this."

No one else may be in danger, but Suri's loved ones are left wondering why this had to happen to her.

Suri's roommates have been treated with antibiotics as a precaution.

A memorial service for Suri is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at Lathrop Hall.