FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 13, 2023
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has confirmed two optimistic rabies circumstances in animals in two totally different counties:
- A cat discovered close to Tweety and Quiet avenues in Conway, S.C., has examined optimistic for rabies. One particular person was uncovered and has been referred to their healthcare supplier. One canine was uncovered and might be quarantined as required within the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
- A raccoon discovered close to Swearingen Lane and County Road OC 2303 in North, S.C., has examined optimistic for rabies. No persons are identified to have been uncovered right now. One canine was uncovered and might be quarantined as required within the Rabies Control Act.
The Horry County cat and Orangeburg County raccoon have been submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on Sept. 11, 2023, and have been confirmed to have rabies on September 12, 2023.
If you consider you, somebody you understand or your pets have are available in contact with the Horry County cat, the Orangeburg County raccoon, or one other animal that probably has rabies, please name DHEC’s Public Health Conway workplace at (843) 915-8801 or Orangeburg workplace at (803) 533-5480 throughout regular business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch that allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” 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 want, keep away from touching it and call somebody skilled in dealing with animals, resembling your native animal management officer, wildlife management operator or a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to probably rabid animals to DHEC.
It is vital to maintain pets updated on their rabies vaccination, as this is likely one of the best and simplest methods to guard in opposition to the illness. The cat from Horry County is the primary animal in that county to check optimistic for rabies in 2023. The Orangeburg County raccoon is the third animal in that county to check optimistic for rabies in 2023. There have been 61 circumstances of rabid animals statewide this 12 months. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged roughly 148 optimistic circumstances a 12 months. Of the 83 confirmed rabies circumstances in South Carolina in 2022, none have been from Horry County, and one was in Orangeburg County.
Contact data for native Public Health places of work is available at scdhec.gov/RabiesContacts. For extra data on rabies go to scdhec.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.
