Are US schools turning into hotspots for preventable tragedies?

Are we doing enough to protect our nation’s teachers? The recent deaths of two teachers—one in California and one in Florida—have been linked to classroom hazards, and both deaths were ultimately preventable.

California Rabies case

Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, CA, was bitten by a bat in her classroom in October 2024.^[] Small bat teeth left shallow wounds, and Seneng, likely unaware of the risks, appears not to have sought medical attention or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

For weeks, there were no symptoms—until there were. Rabies’ long incubation period, ranging from weeks to months, often lulls patients and clinicians into a false sense of security. By the time Seneng’s illness became apparent, it was too late. She succumbed to the disease on November 22 after being placed in a medically induced coma.

Rabies in humans is exceedingly rare in the US, with fewer than 10 deaths reported annually.^[] Seneng’s death could have been prevented; as board-certified physician Raj Dasgupta, MD, explains, “The post-exposure shots are highly effective, but only if given quickly.”

Randall Turner, DO, explains how bat bites and scratches are especially dangerous because they’re so small that one might not even notice them. “In the United States, most human rabies deaths are linked to exposure to bats. Their bites are especially risky because they’re often tiny and painless—so much so that you might not even realize you’ve been bitten,” he says.

Legionnaires’ disease in Florida

Katherine Pennington, a Florida kindergarten teacher, died of Legionnaires’ disease on November 24 after severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.^[] Although the source of the infection is still unclear, the Florida Department of Health confirmed an active investigation into the case. The school district is awaiting air quality test results from the affected building and has hired an environmental company to carry out cleaning.

“Legionella grows in stagnant water,” explains Courtney Scott, MD. “HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) cooling towers contain stagnant and warm water, which can serve as a breeding ground. If not serviced appropriately, water droplets introduced into the air circulation system may spread airborne Legionella.”

This tragic outcome is not isolated. Legionella infections have risen in the United States by an average of 9.3% annually since 2002, with mortality rates reaching 10%.^[] One of the largest and deadliest outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in US history occurred in New York City in 2015, with over 138 cases (including 16 fatalities) traced back to a single cooling tower from the South Bronx.^[]

“The most effective early detection method is to routinely test air and water systems for Legionella in vulnerable and at-risk locations, alongside increasing the awareness of low-intensity flu-like symptoms experienced by school-going children and the staff," says Dr. Scott.

Why can't we keep our schools safe?

However, as Po-Chang Hsu, MD, tells MDLinx, “Schools are often overlooked as high-risk environments for infectious exposures. Teachers work in close contact with large groups of students who may unknowingly spread illnesses. Older school buildings with poorly maintained ventilation systems, water pipes, or air-conditioning units can all harbor pathogens.”

When teachers present with symptoms like unexplained fever, severe headaches, or respiratory issues, their work environment should be part of the clinical history. Dr. Hsu adds, “Providing teachers with occupational health screenings and improving access to rapid diagnostic tests can lead to earlier diagnoses and timely treatment.”

Dr. Hsu stresses that clinicians should always ask about occupational risks when evaluating patients. “Teachers presenting with unexplained fever, severe headaches, or respiratory issues should be questioned about their work environment, potential animal exposures, and environmental hazards.”