A California teacher dies after being bitten by a bat in her classroom

A central California teacher died last month after she was bitten by a bat suspected of having rabies in her classroom, officials and the woman’s friend said. This was the third such death in North America in recent weeks.

Following the death of Leah Seneng on November 22, public health officials are warning the public about the dangers of bats, which are the most common source of human rabies in the United States, although fewer than ten people die from rabies in the country each year, almost always fatal if not treated quickly.

Seneng, 60, found a bat in her classroom in mid-October, her friend Laura Splotch told KFSN-TV. She tried to pick it up and take it outside, but it bit her, Splotch said.

Seneng did not immediately show symptoms of rabies, but became ill weeks later and was taken to the hospital, where she fell into a medically induced coma and died a few days later, Splotch told the television station.

“It’s devastating to see her in that condition, with all the machines attached and everything, it was pretty disturbing and scary,” Splotch told KFSN.

According to her Facebook profile, Seneng was an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California. The Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District called Seneng “a dedicated and compassionate educator.”

“We were shocked to learn that Leah’s death was related to exposure to rabies, most likely from a bat bite, and we are cooperating with the Merced County Health Department in the investigation,” the school district said in a statement. “We live and work in a community known to have bats and other wildlife around school grounds, and we will continue to help educate our community about the dangers associated with direct contact with wildlife, including bats , are connected.”

Merced County confirmed the rabies threat but did not release the name of the deceased due to privacy concerns. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that the victim died of rabies.

“Bat bites can be incredibly small and difficult to see or detect. “It is important to wash your hands and check for open wounds after touching a wild animal, and to seek medical attention immediately if bitten,” says CDPH Director Dr. Tomás told J. Aragón in a statement. “It is always safest to leave wild animals alone. Do not approach, touch, or attempt to feed animals you do not know.”

At least two more people in North America have died of rabies in recent weeks after encountering a bat. Last month, health officials in Canada announced that a Child died of rabies after being exposed to a bat in their room. About a week earlier, officials announced that a US citizen has died from rabies after being exposed to a bat in western Minnesota in July.

How does rabies spread and what are the symptoms?

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that attacks the nervous system of humans and animals, causing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Transmission to humans typically occurs through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal through scratching or biting.

Rabies is common in bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks and some domestic animals. According to Haldimand and Norfolk Health Services, where the child was admitted, rabies is almost 100 percent fatal in animals and humans without appropriate and prompt treatment after symptoms appear.

The treatment has been shown to be nearly 100% effective in preventing the disease if someone is exposed to the virus. However, it must begin before symptoms appear.

Bats pose a particular risk because their scratches are difficult to detect due to their small teeth and bats cannot be vaccinated through provincial programs, health officials said.

If bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the virus, health authorities recommend washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seeking immediate medical attention.

According to the CDC, the incubation period for rabies can last weeks to months, depending on the location of exposure, severity of exposure and age.

“The first symptoms of rabies, called a prodrome, may resemble the flu and include weakness, malaise, fever or headache. There may also be discomfort, tingling or itching at the bite site. These symptoms may last for several days,” says the CDC.