A teacher dies after being bitten by a bat in her classroom

Public health officials have warned of the risks Batswhich is the most common source For rabies In people in the United States, after the death of teacher Leah Sinning on November 22.

Although fewer than 10 people die from rabies in the country each year, it is almost always fatal if not treated quickly.

Sinning’s friend, Laura Spoh, told KFSN-TV that Sinning, 60, discovered the bat in her classroom in mid-October and tried to pick it up and take it outside, but it bit her.

Spoh added that Senning did not immediately show symptoms of rabies, but contracted the disease weeks later and was taken to the hospital, where she was infected. In a coma She died a few days later.

For its part, the Dos Palos-Oro Loma Community School administration described Senning in a statement as “a dedicated teacher with a compassionate heart.”

“We were horrified to learn that Leah’s death was the result of rabies, most likely the result of a bat bite, and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health in its investigation,” the statement said.

The statement added: “We live and work in a community known for the presence of bats.” And animals “We will continue to help educate our community about the dangers of direct contact with any wildlife, including bats.”