CBS News
California teacher dies after being bitten by a bat inside her classroom
A central California teacher died last month after she was bitten by a bat that presumably had rabies inside her classroom, officials and a friend of the woman, marking the third such fatality in North America in recent weeks.
In the wake of Leah Seneng’s death on Nov. 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. Even though fewer than 10 people in the country die from rabies each year, it is almost always fatal if not treated quickly.
Seneng, 60, found a bat in her classroom in mid-October, her friend Laura Splotch told KFSN-TV. She tried to scoop it up and take it outside but it bit her, Splotch said.
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 days later, Splotch told the TV station.
“It’s devastating to see her in that state, with all the machines hooked up and everything, it was pretty upsetting and scary,” Splotch told KFSN.
According to her Facebook profile, Seneng was an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California. The Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, called Seneng “a dedicated and compassionate educator.”
“We were shocked to learn that Leah’s passing was related to contracting rabies, most likely from being bitten by a bat and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health on their investigation,” the school district said in a statement. “We live and work in a community known to have bats and other wildlife around school grounds, and we will continue to help educate our community regarding the dangers associated with coming into direct contact with any wild animal, including bats.”
Merced County confirmed the rabies exposure but, due to privacy laws, did not release the deceased’s name. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that the victim died after contracting rabies.
“Bites from bats can be incredibly small and difficult to see or to detect. It is important to wash your hands and look for any open wounds after touching a wild animal, and to seek immediate medical care if bitten,” CDPH Director Dr. Tomás J. Aragón said in a statement. “It is always safest to leave wild animals alone. Do not approach, touch, or try to feed any animals that you don’t know.”
At least two other people in North America have died of rabies after encountering a bat in recent weeks. Last month, health officials in Canada announced that a child died from rabies after being exposed to a bat in their room. About a week before that, officials announced a U.S. citizen died from rabies after being exposed to a bat in western Minnesota in July.
How is rabies spread and what are the symptoms?
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that attacks the nervous system in humans and animals, causing brain and spinal cord inflammation. It is typically spread to humans through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal through scratching or biting.
Rabies is commonly found in bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks and some household pets. Without proper and prompt treatment after symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 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 nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease if someone is exposed, though it must start before symptoms appear.
Bats pose a unique risk because their scratches can be hard to notice due to their small teeth, and bats cannot be vaccinated through provincial programs, health officials said.
If bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the virus, health officials advise washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and immediately seeking medical attention.
According to the CDC, the incubation period of rabies may last from weeks to months, depending on the location of exposure, severity of exposure and age.
“The first symptoms of rabies, called prodrome, maybe like the flu, including weakness, discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for several days,” the CDC says.
CBS News
UnitedHealthcare CEO killing person of interest had gun, silencer when found in PA, sources say
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Is a $5,000 CD still worth opening now?
For the last two and a half years, approximately, the benefits of opening a certificate of deposit (CD) account have been clear. These accounts offered interest rates exponentially higher than they had been in 2020 and 2021, for example. The rates on these accounts were fixed, meaning that savers could rely on a predictable return despite any volatility in the wider rate climate during their CD term. Depending on the initial deposit, then, savers could earn hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest, simply by opening an account at the right time, with the right lender.
But is now still the right time to do so? Inflation has steadily dropped from the decades-high point it was at in June 2022. Multiple interest rate cuts have since been issued in response, the latest of which is widely expected for when the Federal Reserve meets for the final time in 2024 on December 17 and 18. Against this backdrop, then, savers may be pondering the benefits of opening a CD. While a $5,000 deposit, for example, may have been a clear choice a year or two ago, some may be wondering if a $5,000 CD is still worth opening now. Below, we’ll explain why it may still be.
See how much interest you could be earning with one of today’s top CDs here.
Is a $5,000 CD still worth opening now?
In simple terms: Yes, a $5,000 CD can still be worth opening for many savers right now. But the details matter. For example, a $5,000 deposit into a short-term CD may not be valuable for some savers. These accounts, which mature in under 12 months, have interest rates slightly higher than their long-term counterparts. But long-term CDs, which have terms ranging from 18 months to 10 years, will allow savers to lock in today’s high rates for years to come, making them a smart way to protect your savings against any future rate cuts.
To better understand why a $5,000 long-term CD would be better than a short-term one now, it helps to compare the returns each account can offer savers. It’s possible to find a 6-month CD with a rate of 4.50% now. 2-year CD rates, meanwhile, top out around 4.25%. But the lower rate won’t negate the higher earnings, thanks to the extended earning potential. A $5,000, 6-month CD would make $111.26 upon maturity while the 18-month CD would earn $434.03. That’s almost four times the interest, made with the same effort as it would take to open the shorter term.
The key consideration, then, becomes a personal one. Can you afford to keep your money untouched in a long-term CD? If you can’t and open one anyway you’ll be penalized for withdrawing your money early. That could mean forfeiting all of the interest earned to that point, depending on the individual lender’s fees. The same considerations apply to short-term CDs, too, although those accounts are typically easier for the average saver to see through to maturity. Only you will know which is best for your situation.
Start exploring your short-term and long-term CD options here.
What about high-yield savings accounts?
If you’re concerned about your ability to lock your money away, regardless of the term length, a high-yield savings account could be a valuable alternative to investigate. These accounts operate like traditional savings accounts do, albeit with much higher interest rates. The catch, here, is that rates are variable and likely to fluctuate and potentially decline as additional Fed rate cuts are issued. And the most attractive accounts are usually via online banks, so you may need to move your funds from your regular branch to take advantage of the higher rates offered elsewhere.
Learn more about your high-yield savings account options here.
The bottom line
Interest rates haven’t dropped so low that a $5,000 CD is no longer valuable. Savers will just need to be a bit more strategic in their approach than they have been in recent years. For many, that may mean opening a long-term CD versus a short-term one. Others, however, may be best served by forgoing their CD options for high-yield savings accounts. It’s critical to take action soon, however. Today’s interest rates won’t remain this high forever so it makes sense to start earning more on your money as soon as possible.
CBS News
Person in McDonald’s tipped police about man resembling CEO killing person of interest, sources says
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.