Rabid Wildlife Confirmed in Aiken and Chester Counties; One Person and Three Pets Exposed

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 Aiken County raccoon that tested positive was found near Natures Lane and Knollview Drive in Aiken, S.C. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider.
• The Aiken County skunk that tested positive was found near Cross Country Lane and Charles E Simons Hwy in Trenton, S.C. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the state Rabies Control Act.
• The Chester County raccoon that tested positive was found Mountain Gap Road and Great Falls Highway in Blackstock, S.C. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as the law requires.

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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