Rabies — how to protect your pets and loved ones from the virus

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Health officials with the South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed three cases of rabies -two rabid racoons and one rabid bat across Charleston, York, and Saluda Counties.

All are being treated or quarantined according to health guidelines.

So how is rabies contracted? Health officials say the virus can be transmitted through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, such as from a bite or scratch.

According to the CDC, animals most frequently found with rabies in the U.S. are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Around 100,000 people across the U.S. are vaccinated against the virus following a potential rabies exposure each year.

DPH’s Rabies Program Manager, Terri McCollister, says there are ways to try and steer clear from the virus.

First — never handle a bat or any wild or stray animal with your bare hands, whether it’s dead or alive.

When it comes to bats, McCollister says people don’t always realize that they, or a pet, have been bitten — since the animal’s teeth are so tiny — making bites easy to overlook.

Because of this, you should always assume a person, or pet, has potentially been bitten should you wake up to find a bat in, say, a bedroom or tent — or a bat is found where children, pets, or mentally impaired people have been left unattended.

According to McCollister, a bat that is active by day, found where bats are not usually seen, or is unable to fly is far more likely to be rabid. However, there is no guarantee that a rabid bat will behave any differently than a healthy bat.

If you think you may have been exposed to an animal with rabies, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water, and seek medical attention to determine whether any follow‑up care is needed. If you choose not to seek medical care, contact your county office to report the incident so they can try and track down the animal.

To help protect pets, McCollister says keep them up-to-date on their rabies vaccination — which remains one of the most effective defenses.

DPH reports 62 cases of rabid animals so far this year. On average, about 136 are reported annually.

McCollister also says it is a normal trend to see increased positive cases of rabies in South Carolina between the months of August and October. The exact reason for this isn’t known, but there are several human and animal behavior factors that might be involved. Other southeastern states have similar trends.

If you believe you, someone you know, or a pet has been exposed, you can call DPH’s 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 (select option 2). You can also find additional reporting information on DPH’s website here.

For a list of wildlife animal removal services, click here.