Rabid Kitten and Skunk Confirmed in Pickens County; Three People, Seven Pets, and 23 Livestock Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 12, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a kitten found near Pumpkintown Hwy and Holder Street in Pickens, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. The kitten was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Nov. 4, 2024, and was confirmed to have rabies on Nov. 5, 2024. Three people were exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. 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.

Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director notes “Stray and feral cats serve as a significant source for rabies exposure to people and pets. In general, it is not a good idea to feed pets outside, especially if you leave food unsupervised. This practice can have negative consequences for people and pets because food attracts wildlife, resulting in conflicts to include disease and parasite transmission, predation, and safety concerns from neighbors.” If pets in the area have received any unexplained injuries or have been seen interacting with feral cats or wildlife in recent weeks, please contact your veterinarian’s office.

A skunk found near Store and Ireland roads in Easley, S.C. has also tested positive for rabies. The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 6, 2024, and was confirmed to have rabies on Nov. 7, 2024. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Two cats, two cows and twenty goats were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. 

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 the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Livestock are susceptible to rabies and all livestock with USDA approved rabies vaccinations should be vaccinated. Cattle and horses, however, are the most frequently reported infected livestock species. Per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 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.  

“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” said McCollister. “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.”

If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this kitten, this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Upstate Greenville-Spartanburg office at (864) 372-3270 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).

It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations, which is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. In 2024, four animals have tested positive for rabies in Pickens County. There have been 72 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. In 2023, six of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Pickens 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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