Tragedy in Merced County: Art Teacher Succumbs to Rare Rabies Case

A California art teacher has tragically passed away after contracting rabies, believed to have been caused by a bat bite in her classroom. Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old educator at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, Merced County, died just weeks after the incident, leaving her community in shock.

A compassionate gesture turns fatal

The incident occurred in mid-October when Seneng encountered a wild bat in her classroom. According to her close friend Laura Splotch, Seneng attempted to move the bat outside, believing it to be harmless.

“I don’t know if she thought it was dead or what caused it to lie around her classroom,” Splotch told ABC30. “She didn’t wanna harm it. But that’s when I guess, it woke up or saw the light or whatever—it swooped around a bit and took off.”

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Unfortunately, during the attempt, the bat bit Seneng, though she reportedly displayed no symptoms of rabies in the days immediately following the bite.

Rapid decline and confirmation of rabies

Nearly a month later, Seneng began to feel unwell. She was rushed to the hospital by her daughter and was immediately placed in a medically induced coma. Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to the disease four days later.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed that a Fresno County resident, later identified as Seneng, had been “bitten by a presumably rabid bat” in Merced County. Laboratory tests conducted by the state’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) verified rabies as the cause of her illness.

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Public health warnings

Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer emphasized the risks of interacting with wild animals: “It is always safest to leave wild animals alone. Do not approach, touch, or try to feed any animals that you don’t know.”

Bats are the most common source of human rabies in the United States. Public health officials urged Californians to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a wild animal, particularly bats and squirrels.

Community mourns a dedicated teacher

Seneng, a beloved mother and educator, is remembered fondly by her colleagues and students. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Laura Splotch aims to support Seneng’s grieving family.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by rabies, a disease that remains rare but deadly if untreated. Local and federal health authorities, including the Fresno County and Merced County Departments of Public Health, continue to educate the public on how to avoid exposure and respond swiftly in the event of a bite.

This tragic event highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for increased awareness about rabies prevention in communities nationwide.