Death of patient with rabies confirmed — first fatal case in Fresno County in 30+ years

A rabies exposure in Merced County has now been confirmed as fatal.

Last week, the county’s department of public health reported a Fresno County resident had been exposed to the deadly virus in a possible bat bite and was being treated at a hospital.

Fresno County’s Department of Public Health on Tuesday confirmed that the person has died.

That person has been identified by a family friend as 60-year old Leah Seneng, an artist and art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. A GoFundMe has been organized to help pay for funeral and other expenses.

The department shared little information about the patient’s identity on Tuesday and pointed questions about the specifics of the case to officials in Merced County, where the exposure was believed to have occurred.

The department did give a timeline of the exposure.

▪ Officials believe the person was first exposed in late October.

▪ They showed up at a Fresno hospital Nov. 18.

▪ They died four days later.

A friend speaking on behalf of the Seneng family, Laura Splotch, said Wednesday that the bite happened Oct. 14 and that the bat had been in Seneng’s classroom.

So far, Mecerd County health official have not confirmed many details about the exposure, but in a email to The Bee said it has been “focused on investigation, contact tracing and community education” since it became aware of the incident.

“As with any disease,” the office said, “close contacts/family members are notified and offered preventative care as they’re identified. This includes post-exposure prophylaxis. We’re unable to comment further until the investigation is complete.”

Typically, it takes four to eight weeks for symptoms of the virus to become present in humans, during which time a vaccine can be administered. But once symptoms appear, the virus is almost always fatal, said Fresno County Deputy Health Officer Trinidad Solis.

That can happen fast.

“Usually the symptoms quickly progress,” Solis said.

The virus attacks the nervous system. Once it gets to the brain, it becomes hard for the patient to eat or walk and eventually they will end up comatose.

Seneng may have been experiencing some symptoms several days prior to going to the hospital, according to the health department.

Rabies is deadly, but rare

While rabies can be deadly, cases — especially fatal ones — are extremely rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that fewer than 10 rabies deaths are reported in the United States each year.

The last reported rabies death in Fresno County was in 1992.

In that case, a 10-year-old boy was bitten by a dog during a visit to India, according to a story in The Fresno Bee. He was admitted to Valley Children’s Hospital after feeling ill and died after two weeks. Fifteen hospital emergency-room workers were given anti-rabies shots as a precaution against exposure.

Prevention is key

The health department took the opportunity to warn residents of the dangers of rabies — whether from bats or other wildlife — and offered suggestions on how to stay safe.

“We really want the public to know that prevention is key,” said Joe Prado, the department’s assistant director.

Among the suggestions:

▪ Vaccinate your pets. Rabies is rare in domesticated animals.

▪ Avoid touching wildlife, especially animals that are acting abnormally. For instance, if they are interacting with humans.

▪ If you get bit, wash the area immediately with soap and water and get to a medical provider as soon as possible.

This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 3:17 PM.