A California art teacher died from rabies after being bitten by a bat she was attempting to remove from her classroom, highlighting the critical importance of immediate medical attention following potential rabies exposure.
Leah Seneng, 60, an esteemed art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California, discovered a bat in her classroom in mid-October. Believing it to be incapacitated, she attempted to move it outside. According to her friend Laura Splotch, she may have believed the bat was dead or incapacitated when she discovered it lying in her classroom.
Acting out of compassion, Seneng carefully scooped the bat up and carried it outside to safety. However, during her efforts, the bat unexpectedly became active, possibly reacting to the movement or light, leading to the bite that ultimately proved fatal.
Initially, she exhibited no symptoms. However, approximately a month later, she fell ill. Her daughter took her to a Fresno County emergency room, where she was placed in a medically induced coma. Tragically, she passed away on November 22, 2024, four days after hospitalization.
The California Department of Public Health emphasizes that bats are the primary source of human rabies infections in the United States. Health officials note that bat bites can be so small they’re often undetected, making any contact a potential risk.
Rabies symptoms typically manifest within four to eight weeks post-exposure. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. Immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration is crucial to prevent the virus from progressing. Medical experts stress that any potential exposure to rabies warrants prompt medical evaluation.
The Fresno County and Merced County health departments are conducting thorough investigations in response to this incident. Household contacts and healthcare workers who treated Ms. Seneng have received post-exposure vaccines. Officials report no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Rabies cases in the United States are rare, with only one to three reported annually. However, approximately 60,000 Americans receive post-exposure vaccines yearly due to potential exposures. Ms. Seneng’s death marks the first human rabies case in Fresno County since 1992.
Reflecting on her 15-year friendship with Seneng, Splotch described her as someone who embraced life fully. Seneng cherished spending time in the mountains where her mother resided and was passionate about exploring the world. Splotch remembered her as a great explorer.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral expenses, highlighting the community’s effort to support her family during this difficult time. The fundraising drive has generated over $6,000.