A schoolteacher in central California tragically died from rabies after being bitten by a bat found in her classroom.

The teacher passed away at a hospital in late November, about a month after being bitten by a bat that was presumed to be rabid, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which did not reveal her identity. However, both the school district and her friend, Laura Splotch, confirmed her identity as Leah Seneng, 60.

Splotch shared that Seneng, an art teacher, was working at a school in Dos Palos when the incident occurred, which local media identified as Bryant Middle School.

The Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified School District described Seneng as “a dedicated and compassionate educator” in a statement, expressing shock that her passing was related to rabies, most likely contracted from the bat bite. The district noted that it is cooperating with county health officials in their investigation.

The district also emphasized that their community is known to have bats and other wildlife near school grounds and pledged to continue educating the community about the potential dangers.

Splotch recounted that Seneng had found the bat in her classroom and, trying not to harm it, attempted to scoop it up to take it outside. “I don’t know if she thought it was dead or what, but she was trying to get it out,” Splotch said.

Seneng was admitted to the hospital weeks later and passed away on November 22. “It was devastating to see her in that state, with all the machines hooked up… it was pretty upsetting,” Splotch added.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease, primarily affecting the central nervous system, which can lead to severe brain dysfunction and death if not treated before symptoms develop. Symptoms may include flu-like signs such as weakness, fever, headaches, and confusion.