California woman dies from Fresno County’s first human case of rabies since 1992

A tragic incident occurred in a California classroom, where a woman lost her life due to rabies after being bitten by a bat. Fresno County health officials confirmed the death of Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. This marks the first human case of rabies in Fresno County since 1992.

Dr. Trinidad Solis, the deputy health officer at the Fresno County Health Department, emphasized the severity of rabies, stating that it affects the brain and can have serious consequences. He clarified that rabies is transmitted through saliva and is not airborne.

Seneng’s encounter with the bat took place in October when she attempted to rescue it in her classroom. Despite not showing any symptoms initially, she fell ill about a month later and was hospitalized. Tragically, she passed away four days after being admitted.

The health officials stressed that rabies is typically transmitted through animal bites, and once symptoms manifest, there is no cure, making it often fatal. They urged the public to prioritize prevention to avoid rabies infection.

While Fresno County authorities believe there is no immediate threat to public health, they are collaborating with the Merced County Health Department to identify any potential exposures and administer vaccines as necessary.

In response to this heartbreaking incident, Seneng’s colleagues launched a GoFundMe page to support her family during this difficult time. It is a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant against rabies by ensuring that both humans and pets are vaccinated against this deadly disease.