Rabid Wildlife Confirmed in Charleston, Chester and Saluda counties; Four People and Five Pets Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 15, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a bat, a racoon and a skunk – all from different counties – have tested positive for rabies.  

• A bat found near Huntington and Cecillia drives in Charleston, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Four people were exposed and referred to their health care providers. One cat was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
• A raccoon found near Saluda Road and Fifth Street in Chester, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people were exposed. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required by law.
• A skunk found near Denny Hwy and Long Road in Saluda, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people were exposed. One dog and two cats were exposed and will be quarantined as required.

All wildlife species were submitted to DPH’s laboratory on Aug. 12, 2024, and were confirmed to have rabies on Aug. 13, 2024. If you believe you, someone you know or your pets have come in contact with either the Charleston County bat, Chester County raccoon, Saluda County Skunk, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Lowcountry Charleston office at (843) 953-4713, Columbia office at (803) 896-4680, or the Aiken office at (803) 642-1687 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).

“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch that allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director. 

Raccoons are the most common animal to test positive for rabies in South Carolina and play a significant role in the transmission of rabies in the state. There is no established time frame for monitoring wildlife to rule out the possibility of rabies. DPH does not recommend keeping wild animals as pets due to the risks of rabies exposures. 

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. 

In 2024, the Charleston County bat is the ​fourth​ animal to test positive for rabies in that county, the Chester County raccoon is the third animal in that county to test positive for rabies, and the Saluda County skunk is the second animal in that county to test positive for rabies. There have been 49 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. Of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina in 2023, two ​were​ in Charleston​ County, one was in Chester County and one was in Saluda 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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