FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 18, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a kitten, fox, and raccoon have tested positive for rabies in separate incidents.
The three rabies positive animals were submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing Sept. 16, 2025, and were confirmed to have rabies Sept. 17, 2025. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this feral kitten, this fox, this raccoon, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager. “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.”
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.
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 feral cats in recent weeks, please contact your veterinarian’s office.
It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. In 2025, the Greenville County feral kitten is the sixth animal in that county to test positive for rabies, the Kershaw County fox is the fifth animal in that county to test positive for rabies, and the Anderson County raccoon is the seventh animal in that county to test positive for rabies. There have been 70 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, six of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Greenville County, none were in Kershaw County, and three were in Anderson 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 24, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is adding two new confirmed cases of measles in Spartanburg County since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina this year to 25 and the total number of cases in the current Upstate outbreak to 22.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 23, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Twice a year, in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) partners with local law enforcement and other community organizations to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, by cleaning out and properly disposing of unused or expired medications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 22, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is celebrating International Bat Week (Oct. 24-31) by encouraging residents to learn about the important role bats play in the environment while also being cautious in their presence.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 21, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is adding four new confirmed cases of measles in Spartanburg County since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina this year to 23 and the number of cases in the current outbreak to 20.