A 60-year-old art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California, has died a month after being bitten by a bat in her classroom. Leah Seneng, who was remembered as “dedicated and compassionate” by friends and colleagues, fell ill with rabies and passed away on November 22.
Seneng had encountered the bat on October 1, early in the morning before her students arrived, and took it outside to release it. However, she may have unknowingly contracted the disease after being bitten or scratched by the bat. Despite initially showing no symptoms, Seneng’s condition worsened over time, leading to her hospitalization and eventual death.
The school district has issued a statement condemning the incident, emphasizing the importance of educating students and staff about the dangers of interacting with wild animals. Superintendent Andrew Schwab described Seneng as “a beloved member of our community” who will be deeply missed by her students and colleagues.
A GoFundMe has been set up in Seneng’s name to support her family, which has raised over $7,000 so far. The case is the first reported rabies death in Fresno County in 32 years, but officials assure that there is no public health threat.
Source: https://people.com/what-we-know-about-the-california-teacher-who-died-after-being-bitten-by-bat-in-her-classroom-8756123