California teacher dies after she was bitten by a bat inside a classroom

DOS PALOS, Calif. — A central California teacher died last month after she was bitten by a bat inside her classroom that presumably had rabies, officials and the woman's friend said.

In the wake of Leah Seneng's death on Nov. 22, public health officials are warning the public about the dangers of bats, which are the most common source of human rabies in the U.S. Even though fewer than 10 people in the country die from rabies each year, it is 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 scoop it up and take it outside but it bit her, Splotch said.

Seneng did not immediately have symptoms of rabies but she fell ill weeks later and was taken to the hospital, where she was put into a medically-inducted coma and died days later, Splotch told the TV station.

The Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, in a statement, called Seneng ''a dedicated and compassionate educator.''

''We were shocked to learn that Leah's passing was related to contracting rabies, most likely from being bitten by a bat and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health on their investigation,'' the statement said. ''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 regarding the dangers associated with coming into direct contact with any wild animal, including bats.''

Merced County confirmed the rabies exposure but, due to privacy laws, did not release the deceased's name. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that the victim died after contracting rabies.