Rabid animals confirmed in Pickens County
Several animals in the Upstate area of South Carolina have been exposed to rabies, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH).The department confirmed that a kitten found near Pumpkintown Highway and Holder Street in Pickens tested positive for rabies. The kitten was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 4 and was confirmed to have rabies the next day. Three people were exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. 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. The department said a skunk found near Store and Ireland Roads in Easley has also tested positive for rabies. The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 6 and was confirmed to have rabies the next day. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Two cats, two cows and twenty goats were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. South Carolina law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Livestock are susceptible to rabies and all livestock with USDA approved rabies vaccinations should be vaccinated. Cattle and horses, however, are the most frequently reported infected livestock species. Per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), species for which licensed vaccines are not available (goat and swine), that have frequent contact with humans, or are considered valuable, should also be vaccinated. If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this kitten, this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Upstate Greenville-Spartanburg office at (864) 372-3270 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
Several animals in the Upstate area of South Carolina have been exposed to rabies, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH).
The department confirmed that a kitten found near Pumpkintown Highway and Holder Street in Pickens tested positive for rabies.
The kitten was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 4 and was confirmed to have rabies the next day.
Three people were exposed and have been referred to their health care providers.
One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
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.
The department said a skunk found near Store and Ireland Roads in Easley has also tested positive for rabies.
The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 6 and was confirmed to have rabies the next day.
One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider.
Two cats, two cows and twenty goats were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
South Carolina law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Livestock are susceptible to rabies and all livestock with USDA approved rabies vaccinations should be vaccinated. Cattle and horses, however, are the most frequently reported infected livestock species. Per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), species for which licensed vaccines are not available (goat and swine), that have frequent contact with humans, or are considered valuable, should also be vaccinated.
If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this kitten, this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Upstate Greenville-Spartanburg office at (864) 372-3270 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
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