- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jul. 31, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a fox found near Rodman and Dory roads in Scranton, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. The fox was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on July 28, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies on July 29, 2025. If you…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . “Contact your local Public Health office for further guidance.” It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This fox is the second animal in Florence County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 46 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Aug. 12, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has expanded its SC Tracking dashboards , which offer comprehensive and accurate insights into key health indicators for South Carolina communities. The 13 dashboards, which are available in both English and Spanish, provide data on trends related to cancer incidences, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease…, said Jessica Threatt, DPH Data Visualization Strategist and Epidemiologist, . “By providing more contextual data into the dashboards, we are also improving transparency and enhancing the public’s ability to engage with this data." The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office provided additional data used to expand the dashboards. To access all available dashboards, visit the SC Tracking website .…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Oct. 15, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near S. Langley Drive and 3rd Loop Road in Florence, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. The raccoon was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Oct. 13, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies on Oct.…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager, . “Any mammal has the ability to carry and transmit the disease to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space.” 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Oct. 16, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Willford Road and Highway 187 S. in Anderson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk was submitted to DPH's…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . “Contact your local Public Health office for further guidance.” It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This skunk is the ninth animal in Anderson County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 83 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Oct. 28, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Lori Drive and Woodruff Road in Simpsonville, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was potentially exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . "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 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. If your pet…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Nov. 3, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Newberry Road and Meadow Lou Lane in Winnsboro, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk was submitted to DPH's laboratory…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . "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.” It is important…
- COLUMBIA, S.C. – A week from today, on July 1, 2024, the new South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) will officially begin serving the people of South Carolina. Formed by Act 60, DPH will be the health component of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). DPH’s mission is to protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of everyone in South Carolina. “Our…, Dr. Edward Simmer, interim agency director, . “DPH will build on DHEC’s legacy, continuously innovating to achieve best practices that help improve our state’s overall health rankings to achieve our goal of becoming the healthiest state in our nation.” With more than 2,900 employees working in approximately 90 locations across the state, DPH instills a people-first approach to all that we do. This includes working with our partners,…, Health Promotion and Services, and, Healthcare Quality, . In addition,, Administration, provides our divisions and teams with the necessary support to ensure the successful accomplishment of our mission and vision., Health Promotion and Services, promotes community health and well-being by protecting people from disease, illness and injury as well as providing access to quality care. It includes all public health departments and programs in South Carolina including community engagement and health collaboration., Healthcare Quality, enhances patient safety and the quality of care by leading efforts to make health care in South Carolina safer, more accessible, equitable and of higher quality. This division includes community care and provider services, drug control and medical and emergency support. “On Day One, those we serve will not see any disruptions to the services that they depend on for good health and peace of mind…, Simmer said, . “Our employees have gone above and beyond to ready us for this transition and ensure that absolutely no one – not those we serve or our employees – falls through the cracks before, during and after this agency transition.” On July 1, the new agency can be found online at dph.sc.gov , and our main phone number will be (803) 898-3300 .
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Mar. 21, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Countryview Lane and S.C. Hwy 324 in Rock Hill, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was submitted to DPH's…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager, . "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 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. If your pet…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Mar. 31, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Gateview Court and Lamp Post Lane in Rock Hill, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk was submitted to DPH's…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager, . "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.” It is important…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Apr. 2, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Tommy White and Shiloh Church roads in Pauline, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager, . “Any mammal has the ability to carry and transmit the disease to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space.” 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…