Rabid Skunk Confirmed in Oconee County; One Pet Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 30, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Cedar Lane Road and Tyezack Drive in Westminster, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog  was exposed and will be quarantined as required by the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The skunk was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Sept. 25, 2024, and was confirmed to have rabies on Sept. 26, 2024. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Anderson 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).

"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 skunk is the sixth animal in Oconee County to test positive for rabies in 2024. There have been 63 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. In 2023, four of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Oconee County.

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

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