A California woman has died of rabies after being bitten by a bat in a classroom, Fresno County health officials said.
The woman, later identified as Leah Senen, 60, was Fresno County's first rabies case since 1992.
“In general, rabies is a disease that affects the brain and is very rare, but when it does occur, it can have very serious consequences,” said Fresno County Health Department Deputy Health Officer. said Dr. Tornidad Solis. “It's transmitted through saliva. It's not airborne.”
Report says first case of rabies patient dying in U.S. after being treated after exposure
Leah Senen, 60, was the first case of rabies in Fresno County since 1992, according to county health officials. (GoFundMe)
Senen, an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, was bitten by a bat while trying to rescue it in a local classroom. ABC30 reported.
Fresno County health officials said she first came into contact with a bat in October, but symptoms didn't appear until about a month later. She was admitted to the hospital, but died four days later.
Leah Senen was an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California. (Map Quest)
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“The most common way of infection is through a bite from an animal with rabies. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rabies. So even if symptoms appear, there is no cure and once symptoms develop, it can be fatal. “Therefore, we want the public to know that prevention is the key to preventing rabies infection,” Solis said.
Fresno County officials believe there is no threat to public health at this time, but are working with the Merced County Health Department to identify other potential infections and administer vaccines.
Health experts recommend getting people and pets vaccinated against rabies. (St. Petersburg)
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Sennen's colleagues have set up a GoFundMe account to support her family during this time.
