- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 27, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Evergreen Drive and Rock Creek Road in Clemson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. Two people were potentially exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. The raccoon was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Feb. 25, 2025, and was confirmed to…, 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…, *Updated Apr. 7, 2025 to correct county from Anderson to Pickens.
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Mar. 5, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Barr Woods and Yarborough roads in Saluda 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 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…, Updated Mar. 6, 2025 with corrected location of found skunk.
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Mar. 10, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Woodland Shores Road and Saltgrass Pointe Drive 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…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager, . “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 raccoon is the second animal in Charleston County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 11 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jul. 16, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near West Cedar Road and Oakland Drive in St. Helena Island, 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…, 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:, Aug. 1, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is pleased to announce the addition of the S.C. Certificate of Immunization (DPH Form 4024) to the Statewide Immunization Online Network (SIMON). Starting Aug. 1, 2025, parents and legal guardians will be able to obtain their child’s official DPH Form 4024 online from the SIMON portal . The addition of the…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director, . “The convenience that being able to download this official document will provide for parents across South Carolina is tremendous.” The SIMON portal is similar to the online patient health record most hospitals and primary care physicians use to make other health records available to patients online. Two important benefits of the portal are that it allows people to verify they and their children…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Aug. 1, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Rabon Valley Acres Road and S Nelson Drive in Fountain Inn, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Three dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The…, 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:, Aug. 6, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a fox found near Block Plant Drive and Calhoun Street in Johnston, 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 fox was submitted…, 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:, Aug. 8, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Dogwood and Becky roads in Charleston, 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 animal species 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 5, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Murraywood and Mapleview drives in Columbia, 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…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 27, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Ridge Spring Hwy and Seminole Drive in Saluda, 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 manager, . “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 first animal in Saluda County to test positive for rabies in 2026. There have been 12 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has…