BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A Western Washington University student has died from MRSA.

University officials say 20-year-old Chris Feden of Olympia died Wednesday night at St. Joseph Hospital.

It's believed he contacted the rare staph infection after suffering from a flu-like illness. It's not clear where he picked up this rare form of MRSA or drug-resistant pneumonia, but local public health officials believe the case is isolated and the risk to the public is low.

"This appears to be an unusual and random event," said Greg Stern, MD, Whatcom County Health Officer. "It is important for everyone to take precautions to avoid the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza and MRSA by careful hand washing."

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, including methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says while extremely rare, MRSA pneumonia can be rapidly fatal, and often affects young, otherwise healthy people.

Chris started at WWU last fall after earning an associates degree from Centralia College. He had planned on a career in engineering and technology.

Counseling and other outreach services are being made available by the school to Feden's friends and family.