California Teacher Dies from Rabies After Bat Encounter
Tragedy struck a California classroom when Leah Seneng, a beloved art teacher at Bryant Middle School, passed away from rabies. The 60-year-old’s untimely death highlights the hidden danger of encounters with seemingly harmless wildlife.
Seneng’s life took a devastating turn in early November when she discovered a bat in her classroom before classes began. According to her friend Laura Splotch, Seneng, deeply caring for the well-being of the animal, gently scooped up the bat and released it outside.
“She thought it might have bitten her, or maybe scratched her,” Splotch shared. “But she didn’t think much of it at the time. She just went about her day."
Unfortunately, that seemingly minor interaction proved fatal.
About a month later, Seneng began experiencing feverish symptoms and uncontrollable tremors in her hands. Hospitalized on November 18, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading doctors to place her in a medically-induced coma the following day.
Heartbreaking news reached Seneng’s close circle; it was time to say goodbye.
“She was in the coma for four days, and that’s when we all got the call to come and say our goodbyes,” Splotch sadly recalled.
Seneng passed away a few days later, surrounded by the soothing sounds of her favorite music – a farewell playlist curated by her daughter. She was remembered as a vibrant woman who loved hiking, traveling the world, and expressing herself through art.
Splotch, who initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Seneng’s family during this difficult time described her friend, "She had a lot of Duran Duran on her playlist … She had a lot of interests, and she liked a lot of world music.”
Seneng’s death has sent shockwaves through her community, prompting reminders about the importance of wildlife safety. The Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, where Seneng dedicated her career, issued a statement expressing their profound sorrow.
“We were shocked to learn that Leah’s passing was related to contracting rabies, most likely from being bitten by a bat, and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health on their investigation," the school district stated.
They emphasized the prevalence of bats and other wildlife in the area and urged everyone to report sightings and exercise caution.
The California Department of Public Health confirmed Seneng’s tragic case as rabies, highlighting the crucial need for awareness and preventative measures.
While rabies deaths are rare in the U.S., about 60,000 people receive post-exposure prophylaxis every year. According to the CDC, bats are a primary source of rabies transmission in the US.
Doctors urge immediate medical attention if you think you have come into contact with a bat, even if you haven’t been bitten.
Post-exposure treatment, available at most emergency departments, can be incredibly effective in preventing rabies infection. It typically involves immune globulins and a series of rabies vaccinations.
