Rabid raccoon found in Ehrhardt

The raccoon was found near Folkstone Road and Ashton Road in Ehrhardt. No people are known to have been exposed at this time.

One puppy that is too young to be vaccinated against rabies was exposed. Out of an abundance of caution and due to the risk associated with a known exposure to a pet that has never been vaccinated, the owners have chosen to have the puppy euthanized.

In addition, a bat found near Wood Fox Drive and Singing Wood Lane in Elgin has tested positive for rabies.

No people are known to have been exposed at this time.

Four cats were potentially exposed and will be quarantined as required in the S.C. Rabies Control Act.

The Richland County bat was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on April 21 and the Bamberg County raccoon was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory on April 20.

Both were confirmed to have rabies on April 22.

You cannot tell if an animal has rabies by simply looking at it. Rabies must be confirmed in a laboratory.

Exposure is defined as a bite, scratch or contact with saliva or body fluids from an infected animal.

Be sure to immediately wash any part of your body that may have come in contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water and seek medical attention.

Never handle a wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with your bare hands.

“Rabid bats have been known to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program team leader. “People don’t always realize they or a pet have been bitten since bat teeth are tiny and bites are easy to overlook. Because of this, you should always assume a person or pet has potentially been bitten when:

• They wake up to find a bat in a room or tent;

• A bat is found where children, pets or persons with impaired mental capacity (intoxicated or mentally disabled) have been left unattended; or

• They have been in direct contact with a bat.”

Any bat that could have had contact with people, pets, or livestock should be safely trapped in a sealed container and not touched. Never release a bat that has potentially exposed a person or pet as it will be needed for rabies testing.

If you believe that you, your family members, or your pets have come in contact with an animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Orangeburg office at 803-533-5490 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at 888-847-0902 (select option 2).

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.

Contact information for local Environmental Affairs offices is available at www.scdhec.gov/EAoffices. For more information on rabies, visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.