Last month, in a Central California teacher's classroom, the officers and a friend of the woman died after being bitten by a bat inside that possibly had rabies, the third such death in North America in recent weeks.
In the wake of Leah Seneng's death on November 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., although fewer than 1 in 10 people die from rabies in each country. . year, it is almost always fatal if not treated promptly.
Seneng, 60, found a bat in her friend Laura Sploch's classroom in mid-October told KFSN-TVSploch said he tried to pick it up and carry it outside, but it bit him.
Sploch told the TV station that 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 induced coma and died a few days later.
“It was devastating to see it in that condition, with all the machines and everything hooked up, it was very disturbing and scary,” Sploch told KFSN.
according to his facebook profileSeneng was an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California. Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District called Ceneng “a dedicated and compassionate teacher.”
The school district said in a statement, “We are shocked to learn that Leah's death was related to rabies, possibly caused by a bat bite, and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health in their investigation ” “We live and work in a community that is known to have bats and other wildlife around school grounds, and we educate our community about the dangers associated with coming into direct contact with any wild animal, including bats. “Will continue to help educate.”
Merced County confirmed exposure to rabies, but due to privacy laws, did not release the name of the deceased. California Department of Public Health Confirmed That the victim died due to rabies.
“Bat bites can be incredibly small and difficult to see or detect,” said CDPH Director Dr. Tomas. “It's important to wash your hands after touching a wild animal and look for any open wounds and to rule out bites.” But it is important to seek immediate medical care.” J. Aragon said in a statement“It is always safest to leave wild animals alone. Never approach, touch, or try to feed an animal you do not know.”
At least two other people in North America have died from rabies after encounters with bats in recent weeks. Last month, health officials in Canada announced that a Child dies due to rabies After coming into contact with a bat in his room. About a week before that, officials announced American citizen died He contracted rabies after coming into contact with a bat in western Minnesota in July.
How is rabies spread and what are the symptoms?
Rabies is a fatal viral infection that attacks the nervous system in humans and animals, causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is usually spread to humans through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, a scratch, or a bite.
Rabies is commonly found in bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and some household pets. Without proper and prompt treatment after symptoms appear, rabies is almost 100 percent fatal in both animals and humans, according to Haldimand and Norfolk Health Services, where the child was admitted.
Treatment has proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing the disease if a person is exposed to it, although it must be started before symptoms appear.
Health officials said the bats pose a unique threat because their scratches can be difficult to notice due to their small teeth and bats cannot be vaccinated through provincial programs.
If bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the virus, health officials recommend washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seeking medical help immediately.
According to the CDC, the incubation period for rabies can last from weeks to months depending on the location of exposure, severity of exposure, and age.
“The first symptoms of rabies, called a prodrome, may be flu-like, including weakness, malaise, fever, or headache. There may also be a sensation of discomfort, pricking, or itching at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for several days. Can last up to days,” says the CDC.