Rabid Animals Confirmed in Multiple Counties; Six People and Seven Pets Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 15, 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that three animals from different counties have tested positive for rabies:

• In Anderson County, a skunk found near Daniel Drive and Williford Road in Anderson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was potentially exposed and has been referred to their healthcare provider.
• In Horry County, a stray cat found near Hendricks Short Cut Road and Zaccheus Lane in Conway, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Two people were exposed and have been referred to their healthcare providers. Two cats and one dog were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the Rabies Control Act. In addition, several stray cats in the area may have been exposed, and local animal control is actively assisting with assessing and managing these animals to reduce further risk.
• In York County, a bat found near Lometa Drive and Waterside Trail in York, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Three people were exposed and have been referred to their healthcare providers. Two cats and two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the Rabies Control Act.

The Anderson County skunk, Horry County cat, and York County bat were submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing Sept. 10, 2026, and were confirmed to have rabies Sept. 11, 2026. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this skunk, cat, bat, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's rabies 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2). 

An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. Be sure to immediately wash any part of your body that may have come in contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water and seek medical attention.

Never handle a bat or any wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with your bare hands. Any bat that could have had potential contact with people, pets, or livestock should be safely trapped in a sealed container and not touched. Never release a bat that has potentially exposed a person or pet. Once a bat is released, it cannot be tested for rabies.   

“Rabid bats have been known to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager. “People don’t always realize they or a pet have been bitten since bat teeth are tiny and bites are easy to overlook.” Because of this, you should always assume a person or pet has potentially been bitten when: 

• They wake up to find a bat in a room or tent; 
• A bat is found where children, pets, or persons with impaired mental capacity (intoxicated or mentally disabled) have been left unattended; or 
• They have been in direct contact with a bat. 

Rabies must be confirmed in a laboratory. You cannot tell if a bat, or any other animal, has rabies by simply looking at it. Unusual behavior in bats that might indicate the animal has rabies includes daytime activity, inability to fly, and being found in places they are not usually seen, like in your home or on your lawn. 

“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 wildlife rehabilitator. To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space. Stray and feral cats serve as a significant source for rabies exposure. If pets in the area have received any unexplained injuries or have been seen interacting with these types of cats in recent weeks, please contact your veterinarian’s office,” McCollister said.  

In 2026, Anderson County reported its ninth rabid animal, a skunk. Horry County has confirmed its first case of the year in a cat, and York County has confirmed its seventh case, a bat. Statewide, South Carolina has reported 86 rabid animals in 2026. Since 2002, the state has averaged about 136 rabies cases annually. In 2025, South Carolina recorded 101 confirmed cases, including 11 in Anderson County, three in Horry County, and nine in York County.

Contact information for local Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.

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