A California-based art instructor tragically passed away from rabies on November 22nd, following a suspected encounter with a bat in her classroom approximately one month prior. Leah Seneng, aged 60, might have contracted the disease when she attempted to remove the bat from her classroom, as per her friend Laura Splotch. Splotch recounted the incident, stating, "Seneng arrived at her classroom early in the morning before the students arrived.

She discovered a bat on the floor and decided to pick it up to release it outside." She continued, "It appears that the bat may have bitten her, or she thought it might have scratched her, and then it flew away. She didn't consider it to be sick or anything serious, so she continued with her day and later mentioned the incident to her daughter."

Health authorities stress the critical nature of seeking immediate medical attention after any contact with an animal that could be carrying rabies. However, it remains unclear why Seneng did not seek medical care at that time. Approximately a month later, in mid-November, Seneng began to exhibit symptoms such as fever and trembling hands, as reported by Splotch. She was admitted to the hospital on November 18th and placed in a medically induced coma the following day. Splotch shared, "After four days in a coma, we received the call to come and say our final goodbyes."

Seneng ultimately succumbed to the disease at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, with close friends in attendance. Splotch mentioned that Seneng's husband was by her side, and her daughter played music from her mother's playlist in the room. "Duran Duran was a favorite on her playlist, and she had a wide range of interests, including world music," Splotch said.

Seneng was known as an experienced hiker, a world traveler, and a talented artist, according to Splotch, who also organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Seneng's family. Seneng, who taught at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, was remembered by the school district as "a dedicated and compassionate educator," and her loss will be deeply felt by her students, colleagues, and the entire Dos Palos school district community.

The Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District released a statement expressing their shock at Seneng's passing, which was linked to rabies, likely from a bat bite. They are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health in their investigation and emphasized the importance of educating the community about the risks associated with direct contact with wild animals, including bats. The district stated that their staff is trained to handle situations involving wild animals and urged anyone witnessing such encounters to report them to school administrators for appropriate action.

The California Department of Public Health confirmed Seneng's case as rabies in a news release. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal, including through saliva or tissues from the brain and nervous system. The virus targets the central nervous system, leading to a brain disease that can result in death if untreated. In the United States, the majority of rabies infections are attributed to bats, with odd behaviors such as difficulty flying, daytime activity, or presence indoors or on the ground potentially indicating rabies in bats. Other wildlife, like skunks, foxes, and raccoons, can also carry the virus.

It is advised to avoid touching bats, but if there is a suspicion of a scratch or bite, one should immediately clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical assistance. Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, Director and State Public Health Officer of the California Department of Public Health, emphasized in a news release, "Bites from bats can be very small and hard to detect. It is crucial to wash your hands and check for any open wounds after contact with a wild animal and to seek immediate medical care if bitten." He further advised, "It is always safest to leave wild animals alone. Do not approach, touch, or attempt to feed any animals that are unfamiliar to you."

Some experts recommend consulting a doctor after any interaction with a wild animal, even if a bite is not suspected. Although deaths from rabies are rare—with fewer than 10 people dying annually in the US—approximately 60,000 people receive post-exposure prophylaxis following potential rabies exposure each year. Most emergency departments have post-exposure treatments available. For individuals who have not been vaccinated against rabies, the treatment includes a single dose of immune globulins and four doses of the vaccine administered over a two-week period.