FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 21, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a fox found near Gowdys Lane and Spring Road in Lake City, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider.
The fox was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing Feb. 18, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies Feb. 19, 2025. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this fox or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Conway office at (843) 915-8801 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).
"To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space," said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director. "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. If your pet is found with wounds of unknown origin, please consider that your pet may have been exposed to rabies.
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. This fox is the first animal in Williamsburg County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been eight cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, two of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Williamsburg 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.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 20, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the month of October, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is highlighting the life-saving role of screenings and early detection.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 17, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is adding three new confirmed cases of measles in Spartanburg County since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina this year to 19 and the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 15.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 17, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 16, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine are partnering to add a dental hygienist to the DPH Lee County Health Department. This addition aims to help meet the oral health needs of children in the community.