FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jun. 3, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds South Carolinians of several tips to help prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding areas while enjoying time outside this summer.
There are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in South Carolina, but fortunately not all of them bite people. Often, mosquitoes are simply a nuisance, but some species can pose serious health risks to people and animals by spreading disease.
The most common diseases that could potentially be carried by mosquitoes in South Carolina include: West Nile, Eastern Equine encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis virus, and dog/cat heartworm. West Nile virus is the most common disease concern for people.
"Learning how to avoid mosquito bites is important to reducing our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, as is conducting mosquito prevention and control efforts year-round, especially during spring, summer and fall," said Dr. Chris Evans, DPH State Public Health Entomologist.
Although DPH doesn’t perform mosquito control, the agency does provide information that helps individuals, communities and local mosquito control programs take actions to reduce mosquito populations. Mosquito control programs are managed at the local level.
Mosquitoes can develop in water that stands for more than 5 days. DPH recommends following the “7 Ts” to keep your home and yard mosquito-free:
DPH works in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor mosquito populations for disease that can be spread to humans. DPH’s mosquito surveillance program includes trapping and testing mosquitoes across the state and monitoring arbovirus activity in birds. Arboviruses include West Nile, which can be spread to humans by mosquitoes.
DPH also conducts surveillance for human cases of disease spread by mosquitoes and notifies local mosquito control programs to recommend they act when it is necessary.
Residents can assist DPH’s mosquito-borne virus monitoring by submitting certain species of dead birds for lab testing. DPH’s dead bird surveillance program takes place each year from March through November and helps identify where and when there is an increase in West Nile virus activity so additional control measures can be taken.
For more information on steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, visit dph.sc.gov/mosquitoes. Visit dph.sc.gov/vbdoutreach for educational materials related to vector-borne diseases.
Use DPH’s Mosquito-Borne Disease Viewer for the most current case counts of mosquito-borne disease in birds, mosquitoes and certain animals.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jun. 24, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Burton and Stagecoach roads in Laurens, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Four dogs and two cats were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jun. 24, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding everyone in South Carolina to take measures to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses as temperatures rise across the state this week.
According to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk Map, South Carolina will face its first prolonged period of extreme heat of the year this week, leading to major and extreme risk of heat-related impacts.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jun. 23, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jun. 19, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In observance of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) joins partners in celebrating the 2025 theme of “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy.”