Report All Cases Involving Animal Bites to DPH

If you provide care for a patient who has been bitten by an animal - whether the animal involved is a pet, stray, farm animal, exotic pet or wild animal - you are required to report the name, age, gender, weight, address and telephone number of the person bitten to DPH no later than the end of the next working day.

Report animal incidents by contacting your county office on the Rabies Contacts and Reporting page.

  • We will use the information to contact the patient (or if patient is a minor, their guardian) to gather information about the incident for a rabies investigation. (See Mandatory Reporting of Animal Bites, SC State Code of Laws Section 47-5-90)

Treating Patients for Possible Exposure to Rabies

DPH's medical staff can help you assess your patient's exposure risks and answer your questions about rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Most animal exposures will not require PEP. Certainly, if the animal can be located for quarantine or testing, it may prevent unnecessary PEP.

Consult with DPH's medical staff to assess a patient's rabies exposure and/or learn more about rabies treatment.

Follow the steps in the following treatment guides:

Payment Assistance/Reimbursement for Rabies PEP

If your patients are insured by Medicaid, lack health insurance, and/or cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket costs for rabies PEP, please consult the following resources:

DPH Lab Services

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