Valley woman dies from rabies after suspected bat bite, health officials confirm
A local educator is being remembered for her dedication to her classroom and community after she died from rabies.
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. -- Fresno County health officials have confirmed that a person has died from rabies.
The Public Health Department says it believes the patient was bitten by a bat in Merced County.
The patient, identified as 60-year-old Leah Seneng, was a teacher at Byrant Middle School in Dos Palos
Laura Splotch has known Leah for about 15 years when their kids became friends in Kindergarten.
Splotch said it was Leah's kind demeanor and love for the arts that bonded the two women.
"She was a lover of life. She spent a lot of time in the mountains where her mother lived. She loved to explore the world, she's a great explorer," said Splotch.
Seneng was an artist.
Splotch said she turned that passion into a career as an art teacher, most recently working at Bryant.
While at the school in mid-October, Splotch said Leah found a bat in her classroom.
"I don't know if she thought it was dead or what cause it was laying around her classroom and she was trying to scoop it up and take it outside. 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 it took off," said Splotch.
Splotch said Seneng didn't display any rabies symptoms in the days following the attack.
About a month later, Seneng fell ill and her daughter took her to the hospital where she was immediately put into a coma.
Four days later, on November 22nd, Seneng died.
"It's just devastating to see her in that state, with all the machines hooked up and everything, it was pretty upsetting and scary," said Splotch.
The Fresno County Department of Public Health says as of now, there is no public threat.
"To date, there has been vaccines administered to both health care workers and household contacts," said a Fresno County representative.
The Fresno County and Merced County health departments are still looking into other possible exposures.
As Seneng 's friends and family mourn her passing, a gift to Splotch from her longtime friend now serves as a reminder of her talent and vibrancy for life.
"It's very sweet that she would think of me and put this exact on there for me. It meant a lot to me, it means a lot to me now," said Splotch.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Seneng's family during this time.
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