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A bat infected with rabies |
A Central Valley art teacher tragically passed away from rabies after being bitten by a bat inside her classroom, prompting health officials to warn the public about the dangers of handling wild animals.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that 60-year-old Leah Seneng, an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in southern Merced County, succumbed to the disease late last week. According to the CDPH, Seneng was bitten by a “presumably rabid bat” in mid-October.
Seneng’s close friend, Laura Splotch, recounted the incident to KFSN-TV, saying the teacher noticed the bat in her classroom and attempted to remove it. “I don’t know if she thought it was dead or what, but it was laying around her classroom, and she was trying to scoop it up and take it outside,” Splotch explained. “She didn’t want to harm it. But that’s when, I guess, it woke up or saw the light and swooped around before taking off.”
Initially, Seneng showed no symptoms of rabies. However, about a month later, she became ill and was admitted to the hospital by her daughter. Doctors placed her in a medically induced coma, but she passed away on November 22, four days after being hospitalized. Tests conducted at a Fresno County hospital confirmed the presence of rabies.
The CDPH noted that bats are the leading source of rabies transmission to humans in the United States. “Bites from bats can be incredibly small and difficult to detect,” said CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón. “It is crucial to wash your hands, check for open wounds, and seek immediate medical care if bitten by a wild animal. The safest approach is to avoid handling or approaching wild animals altogether.”
In light of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Seneng’s family with funeral expenses.
Health officials are urging the public to take precautions when encountering wildlife and to remain vigilant against the risks of rabies.
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