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Thursday, Aug 15, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 15, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a bat, a racoon and a skunk – all from different counties – have tested positive for rabies.
- A bat found near Huntington and Cecillia drives in Charleston, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Four people were exposed and referred to their health care providers. One cat was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
- A raccoon found near Saluda Road and Fifth Street in Chester, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people were exposed. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required by law.
- A skunk found near Denny Hwy and Long Road in Saluda, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people were exposed. One dog and two cats were exposed and will be quarantined as required.
All wildlife species were submitted to DPH’s laboratory on Aug. 12, 2024, and were confirmed to have rabies on Aug. 13, 2024. If you believe you, someone you know or your pets have come in contact with either the Charleston County bat, Chester County raccoon, Saluda County Skunk, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Lowcountry Charleston office at (843) 953-4713, Columbia office at (803) 896-4680, or the Aiken office at (803) 642-1687 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch that allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director.
Raccoons are the most common animal to test positive for rabies in South Carolina and play a significant role in the transmission of rabies in the state. There is no established time frame for monitoring wildlife to rule out the possibility of rabies. DPH does not recommend keeping wild animals as pets due to the risks of rabies exposures.
To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer,wildlife control operator, or awildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DPH.
In 2024, the Charleston County bat is thefourth animal to test positive for rabies in that county, the Chester County raccoon is the third animal in that county to test positive for rabies, and the Saluda County skunk is the second animal in that county to test positive for rabies. There have been 49 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. Of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina in 2023, twowere inCharleston County, one was in Chester County and one was in Saluda County.
Contact information for local Public Health offices is availabledph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit dph.sc.gov/rabiesorcdc.gov/rabies.
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Rabid Wildlife Confirmed in Charleston, Chester and Aiken counties; Four People and Five Pets Exposed
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Thursday, Aug 15, 2024
Rabid Wildlife Confirmed in Charleston, Chester and Saluda counties; Four People and Five Pets Exposed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 15, 2024COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a bat, a racoon and a skunk – all from different counties – have tested positive for rabies.
Read Full Article
Tuesday, Aug 6, 2024
Rabid Skunk Confirmed in Laurens County; One Person Exposed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 6, 2024COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Fairview Road and Grandwood Boulevard in Fountain Inn, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider.
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Tuesday, Aug 6, 2024
South Carolina WIC Breastfeeding Rates Continue to Increase
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6, 2024COLUMBIA, S.C. – August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is celebrating the continued increase in the number of breastfed infants in its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and encouraging breastfeeding year-round to improve the health of babies across the Palmetto State.
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Friday, Aug 2, 2024
Rabid Bat Confirmed in Charleston County; One Pet Exposed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 2, 2024COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a bat found near Long Shadow Lane and New Ryder Road in North Charleston, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
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