Title: Rabid Raccoon Confirmed in Beaufort County; 2 Pets Exposed

Details of the Exposure

Beaufort, SC. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has just confirmed the presence of a rabid raccoon near Dolphin Point Drive and Indigo Loop in Beaufort. There were no human exposures recorded; however, two local dogs were exposed to the infected raccoon and have since been quarantined following the stipulations of the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

Call for Public Response

If anyone, or their pets, have come in contact with this raccoon or other potentially rabid animals, they are urged to contact DHEC’s Public Health Beaufort office at 843-525-7603 during regular working hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday), or after hours and on weekends at 888-847-0902 (Select Option 2).

Rabies Vaccination for Pet Safety

Speaking on the need for regular vaccination, DHEC’s Rabies Program Director, Terri McCollister, emphasised, “Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination is the easiest way to protect you and your family from this deadly virus.” She reminded the public that any mammal can carry and transmit the disease to humans or pets and called for the public to maintain a safe distance from wild and stray animals.

Pets and Wildlife Exposure

In South Carolina, wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats commonly carry the rabies virus. However, pets are equally susceptible to this deadly virus. If a wild or stray animal appears to be in distress, residents are advised to avoid touching it. Instead, they should contact a local animal control officer, wildlife control officer, or a certified wildlife rehabilitator.

Defining an Exposure

An exposure is defined as direct contact with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Previous and Current Rabies Cases

This is the second confirmed case of a rabid animal in Beaufort County in 2024, and brings the total statewide cases to 29. In comparison, South Carolina has averaged about 148 positive cases annually since 2002, with Beaufort County recording one of the 78 confirmed rabies cases in 2023.

Contact and Additional Information

For a complete list of local Public Health Office addresses and phone numbers, visit scdhec.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit scdhec.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.

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