FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 29, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that one horse and two foxes, one from two different counties, have tested positive for rabies.
If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with either the Anderson County horse, Florence or Newberry County fox or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's Columbia office at (803) 896-4680, Florence office at (843) 661-4825 or the 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).
South Carolina law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated at a frequency to provide continuous protection from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Livestock are susceptible to rabies and all livestock with USDA-approved rabies vaccinations should be vaccinated. Cattle and horses, however, are the most frequently reported infected livestock species. Species for which licensed vaccines are not available (goat and swine) that have frequent contact with humans, or are considered valuable, should also be vaccinated.
“Keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccination is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal," said Terri McCollister, DPH’s Rabies Program director. "It is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your livestock from this fatal disease. That is an investment worth making to provide yourself some peace of mind."
In South Carolina, rabies is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but pets are just as susceptible to the virus. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it. Contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control officer, or a 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.
The horse in Anderson County and the fox in Newberry County brings the number of animals to test positive for rabies in each county to two in 2024. The fox in Florence County is the fifth animal to test positive for rabies in that county in 2024. There have been 44 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. In 2023, one of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina was in Newberry County, four were in Florence County and seven were in Anderson 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:
Jan. 14, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In observance of Birth Defects Awareness Month in January, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) are encouraging residents to embrace and support the families of children in their communities with birth defects and learn about available services, so that every baby born in South Carolina can meet their full potential.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 11, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is ending its expanded hours of the Care Line beginning at noon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. During Winter Storm Cora, the Care Line received a total of 14 calls. No individuals required a Medical Needs Shelter (MNS) in response to the storm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 10, 2025
Hours extended to help answer individuals’ questions about DPH services related to winter weather
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is expanding the hours of its public information Care Line beginning today. Care Line representatives will be available to answer questions about any DPH public health department services that are interrupted due to winter weather and provide other weather-related information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 9, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― January 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and the South Carolina Department Public Health (DPH) would like to thank the agency’s law enforcement agents – and all members of law enforcement – during this important day of recognition.