Ebola Guidance for Health Care Professionals
DPH Guidance
CDC Guidance for Health Care Professionals
Bats
Bats are Good for Our Ecosystems
South Carolina is home to 14 bat species. These bats play a major role in keeping the mosquito population down. They also eat other insects, pollinate flowers and other plants, and help disperse seeds.
World Rabies Day
World Rabies Day is September 28!
Rabies is a deadly virus that kills pets, wildlife and people across the globe. Help us end rabies by keeping your pets up to date with their rabies vaccinations, which protects not only your pet but also you and your family from the virus.
Exotic Pets, Farm Animals
It is illegal to sell flesh-eating mammals (i.e., carnivores) other than dogs, cats and ferrets in South Carolina. See Sections 47-5-20 and Section 47-5-50 of the Rabies Control Act.
Some people may keep wild/domestic hybrids, which are animals created through the human-forced crossbreeding of a dog or cat with a wild species, while others keep wild animals confined on their property not as pets, but for other purposes.
What Will Happen to the Animal?
If Your Own Dog, Cat, Ferret, or Other Animal Bit, Scratched, or Wounded Someone
- Confine the animal immediately.
- Apply first aid to the bite wound and seek medical treatment if needed.
- Call your veterinarian to check your animal's vaccination records.
Dealing with Bites, Possible Exposures
Rabies Exposure Information
Vancomycin Intermediate-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
What is VISA/VRSA?
VISA/VRSA are antibiotic resistant forms of staph bacteria. Staph bacteria is one of the most common bacteria, most often found harmlessly on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. Occasionally, the staph bacteria can cause an infection. In fact, staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of infection in the US. Most of these infections are minor. However, they can sometimes be very serious, and even fatal. Most staph bacteria can be successfully treated with the antibiotic Vancomycin.