Rabid Animals Confirmed in Multiple Counties; Thirteen People and Four Pets Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 20, 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 Aiken County, a horse found near Wire Road and Jaws Lane in Aiken, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Thirteen people were exposed and have been referred to their healthcare providers. 
• In Anderson County, a skunk found near Stratford Drive and Reed Road in Anderson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. 
• In Charleston County, a raccoon found near Brevard and Harvard roads in Charleston, S.C. has tested positive for rabies. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantine as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The Aiken County horse was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing Aug. 18, 2026, and was confirmed to have rabies Aug. 19, 2026. The Anderson County skunk and Charleston County raccoon were submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing Aug. 17, 2026, and were confirmed to have rabies Aug. 18, 2026.  If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this horse, skunk, raccoon, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's rabies 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).  

South Carolina law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by DPH and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Livestock are susceptible to rabies and all livestock that can receive USDA-approved rabies vaccinations should be vaccinated. Species for which licensed vaccines are not available (goat and swine), that have frequent contact with humans, or are considered valuable, should also be vaccinated.  

“Keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccination is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your livestock from this fatal disease. That is an investment worth making to provide yourself some peace of mind.” said Terri McCollister, DPH’s Rabies Program manager. 

In 2026, the Aiken County horse is the seventh animal to test positive for rabies in this county. The Anderson County skunk is the eighth animal to test positive for rabies in this county, and the Charleston County raccoon is the ninth animal to test positive for rabies in this county. There have been 72 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 136 positive cases a year. In 2025, three of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Aiken County, 11 were in Anderson County, and nine were in Charleston 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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