California Teacher Dies from Rabies After Saving a Bat in Her Classroom
Leah Seneng/Facebook
Sixty-year-old Leah Seneng, a beloved art teacher, tragically died from rabies last month after trying to rescue a bat in her classroom. Seneng’s selfless act, which ultimately took her life, is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the virus.
Seneng, who taught at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, discovered the bat lying on the floor in mid-October. Dismayed by the sight, she gently tried to scoop it up and take it outside, according to her friend Laura Splotch. Unfortunately, the bat wasn’t truly incapacitated. “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 shared. “She didn’t want to harm it. But that’s when, I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever, it swooped around a bit and it took off.”
Tragically, the brief encounter proved fatal.
Around a month later, Seneng fell ill. Did she feel ill after the incident
Concerned, Seneng’s daughter rushed her to the hospital, where doctors placed her in a coma.
Seneng sadly passed away on November 22nd.
The California Department of Public Health confirmed that Seneng’s death was caused by rabies.
Splotch launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses. By Thursday, the fund had raised approximately $1,500.
While terrifying, rabies is an incredibly rare disease in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports fewer than 10 rabies-related deaths occur per year in the U.S. Still, an estimated 60,000 Americans receive preventive treatment post-exposure to the virus every year.
GoFundMe
The rabies virus is primarily carried by wild animals, particularly bats and raccoons. Due to its nearly always fatal nature, extreme measures are often taken by authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.
Art_man – stock.adobe.com
The news of Seneng’s death comes just as Albin Festival,
in New York is making headlines again. P’Nut, the popular squirrel who had been seized
in a controversial raid on his home shared with the internet star
received
But his story is not unusual. the director of the出席 Pneumonic assets retrieved zeroexcl. The postmortem test came back negative for rabies.
How widespread is the threat of rabies, and are there specific regions or populations more at risk?
## Interview: Tragedy Strikes California Classroom
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing a deeply saddening story out of California. A beloved art teacher, Leah Seneng, has tragically passed away from rabies after trying to help a bat in her classroom. Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, a rabies expert from the CDC, to shed some light on this devastating incident. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** It’s my pleasure to be here, although this is certainly a tragic case.
**Host:** Can you tell us a bit more about rabies and how someone can contract it?
**Dr. Carter:** Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It’s primarily spread through the bite of an infected animal, although it can also be transmitted through scratches or contact with saliva from an infected animal. Bats are one of the most common carriers of rabies. [[1](https://www.aol.com/calif-art-teacher-60-dies-234357695.html)]
**Host:** In Leah Seneng’s case, it seems like a simple act of kindness had devastating consequences. What are your thoughts on preventing such tragedies?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s heartbreaking to hear about Ms. Seneng, and it highlights the importance of rabies awareness.
**Never handle wild animals!** If you find a bat or other wild animal in your home or around your property, contact your local animal control or wildlife rehabilitation center. They have the training and equipment to safely relocate these animals. We also recommend getting your pets vaccinated against rabies to protect themselves and your family.
**Host:** It’s important to understand that even seemingly harmless encounters can be fatal. Thank you for sharing that important information, Dr. Carter. Our hearts go out to Leah Seneng’s family and friends.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
