Tragedy Strikes California Classroom as Teacher Dies from Rare Bat-Transmitted Rabies
A small California community is mourning the loss of a devoted teacher after she succumbed to a rare and fatal illness. Leah Seneng, 60, a beloved educator at Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, passed away on Nov. 22, weeks after an encounter with a bat in her classroom left her infected with rabies.
Seneng’s ordeal began in mid-October when she discovered a bat inside her classroom. Trying to safely remove the animal, she was unfortunately bitten.
“She found a bat in her classroom in mid-October,” her friend Laura Splotch told KFSN-TV. “She tried to scoop it up and take it outside but it bit her,” Splotch said.
Though initially symptom-free, Seneng’s health deteriorated in the following weeks. She was hospitalized, where doctors placed her in a medically induced coma, but tragically, she succumbed to the disease just days later.
“We were shocked to learn that Leah’s passing was related to contracting rabies, most likely from being bitten by a bat,” the Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District said in a statement.
The district, while heartbroken by the loss, is using this unfortunate incident to raise awareness about the dangers of wild animals. They emphasize the importance of educating the community, especially those living and working near school grounds, about the precautions to take when encountering wildlife like bats.
Health officials have cautioned the public about the risk of rabies, emphasizing the seriousness of the disease. While human rabies cases are statistically uncommon—fewer than 10 reported annually in the U.S.—it is nearly always fatal if not treated promptly. Bats are the primary carriers of rabies in the United States, underscoring the importance of avoiding contact with these creatures.
Splotch added, “her friend Laura Splotch told KFSN-TV.”
This tragedy serves as a mournful reminder of the interconnectedness of human health and the natural world, urging vigilance in safeguarding against zoonotic diseases.
