ELMHURST, Illinois (Wales) — Classes continued normally at Elmhurst University on Monday despite a student being diagnosed with tuberculosis late last week. Two more students have suspected cases and are still being tested.

Following confirmation, the school immediately notified the DuPage County Health Department and warned the campus community that potentially lethal bacteria had made its way to the school.

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“Suspected cases have tested positive but still need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine whether they have active or latent tuberculosis,” said Ashley Matese with the DuPage County Health Department.

Doctors say tuberculosis is contagious only from active cases, and most tuberculosis cases are latent. Tuberculosis, also known as the “white death,” can be fatal if left untreated. It is usually spread by the patient coughing, potentially putting those nearby at risk.

University officials have notified the campus community several times since the first case was diagnosed, saying in part: “We have contacted individuals who may have had close contact with affected individuals and are providing them with free testing.”

Doctors say tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs and symptoms include chronic cough.

Dr. from Endeavor Edward Hospital. “If testing is done, the disease can be diagnosed early enough to be treated before it becomes active and infects someone else,” said Jonathan Pinsky, MD.

Tuberculosis has killed nearly 2 million people, but has been considered a rare disease since the 1950s, when doctors developed antibiotics to treat it. Health experts worry about the disease spreading in the college campus setting, where students often gather in large gatherings for classes and other events. Therefore, it reaches out to anyone who may have come into contact with the student.

“I think there’s a stigma around tuberculosis, or people really worry about it. But it’s a very treatable condition,” Matese said.

Doctors say tuberculosis has a long incubation period, which means it may take some time for the patient to develop symptoms. The university is offering free testing all week long.