- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Aug. 22, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a, bobcat, found near Pleasant Hill Drive and Caterpillar Court in Hemingway, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The bobcat was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Aug. 19, 2024, and was confirmed to have rabies on Aug. 20, 2024. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in…, 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 is…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Aug. 28, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Community Health Worker Appreciation Day is Aug. 28, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is recognizing the significant contributions that Community Health Workers (CHWs) make in improving the health of communities across the state. Community Health Worker Appreciation Day is observed during, South Carolina Community Health Worker Awareness Week, ,, which is celebrated Aug. 25-31 to recognize and commend CHWs for their dedicated service to underserved and high-need communities. DPH currently employees 28 CHWs across the state, including frontline public health workers and managers. The agency’s CHWs work to connect community members to appropriate health education and information, give social support and informal counseling, and understand…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director, . “Our CHWs serve as a link between the community and their health care and social service needs, and we extend our gratitude to them for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities in need.” At DPH, CHWs most often work in underserved communities, including communities in both urban and rural areas as well as tribal lands. CHWs often work with people…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Sept. 5, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Tee Pee and Outlaw trails in Elgin, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was potentially exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was…, 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Sept. 15, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Highway 17 and Pavilion Drive in Little River, 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 Sept. 11, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies Sept. 12,…, 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:, Sept. 25, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — In observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) joins partners across the state in raising awareness about pediatric cancer and supporting families affected by it. Childhood cancer impacts families in every county in South Carolina, with around 192 children diagnosed across the state each year.…, said Dr. Bezawit Kase, Epidemiologist with DPH’s SC Central Cancer Registry, . “These trends show we have made a lot of progress in South Carolina, but there is still work to do to improve outcomes for all children.” DPH works with health care leaders and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance to support affected families. DPH identifies and measures the impact of pediatric cancer across South Carolina through the SC Central Cancer Registry , a nationally recognized…, said Dr. Anna Hoppmann, chair of the SC Childhood Cancer Taskforce and pediatric oncologist at Prisma Health, . “As our survival rates continue to improve, we want to make sure we support children and families at all steps of their cancer journey, including diagnosis, during treatment, and in survivorship.” For more information on childhood cancer in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Childhood Cancer Report and DPH’s Tracking Cancer Dashboard . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Sept. 25, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near McLeod Road and Exit 62 Interstate 95 in Walterboro, 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 Sept. 23, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies…, 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 operato r, 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:, Sept. 29, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Ella Street and Sunset Drive in Chester, 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 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jan. 29, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Burningtree Road and Greenbriar Lane in Charleston, 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 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 11, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Albany and Chester roads in Coward, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Four dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was submitted to DPH's laboratory for…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . “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:, Feb. 21, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a fox found near Gowdys Lane and Spring Road in Lake City, 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 Feb. 18, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies Feb. 19, 2025. If you…, 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…