California teacher dies after suspected bat bite in her classroom

(KTLA) – A middle school teacher from central California has died after contracting rabies from a suspected bat bite, local health officials said.

Friends identified the victim as Leah Seneng, 60, an artist and art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos.

“We ask for privacy for her family during this difficult time and thank you in advance for any donations," reads a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover Seneng's funeral expenses. "Every little bit helps."

The victim’s death was reported last Tuesday. The Fresno County Department of Public Health confirmed the victim was exposed to rabies in Merced County.

Seneng's friend, Laura Splotch, told local TV station KSFN that Seneng had found a bat in her classroom in mid-October and was bitten after she picked it up to move it outside.

“She didn't wanna harm it," said Splotch. "But that's when I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever. It swooped around a bit, and it took off."

Seneng didn’t initially experience any symptoms, Splotch said, but she fell seriously ill about a month later. Her daughter took her to the hospital on Nov. 18, where she was placed into a coma. She died four days later.

Health officials said they were conducting contact tracing with hospital and health care workers who cared for the victim.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites. Symptoms include fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Data from the CDC suggests that, globally, around 70,000 people die from rabies each year. In the U.S., however, it's less than 10 annually, largely thanks to healthcare and vaccination efforts.

Those who suspect they may have been exposed to rabies are urged to seek medical care immediately.

"Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death," the Mayo Clinic warns.