FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 20, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a raccoon and a skunk from Aiken County and a raccoon from Chester County have tested positive for rabies.
The raccoon and skunk from Aiken County were submitted to DPH’s laboratory on Sept. 16, 2024, and were confirmed to have rabies on Sept. 17. The Chester County raccoon was submitted to DPH’s laboratory on Sept. 18 and was confirmed to have rabies on Sept. 19.
If you believe you, someone you know or your pets have come in contact with this Aiken County raccoon or skunk, Chester County raccoon, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Aiken office at (803) 642-1637 or Rock Hill office at (803) 909-7096 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).
Never handle a bat or any wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with your bare hands. To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space. 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 a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DPH.
Of the 60 cases of rabid animals to test positive for rabies in 2024, six animals are from Aiken County and four animals are from Chester County. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. Of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina in 2023, one was from Aiken County and one was from Chester 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:
Jul. 28, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – On July 28, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) joins people and organizations across the globe to observe World Hepatitis Day. The annual observance is a global call to action, and this year’s message is simple but urgent: Hepatitis C is now easier to treat, easier to cure and it starts with a simple test.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jul. 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jul. 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jul. 17, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a cat and a fox have tested positive for rabies in separate incidents.