Three people, one pet exposed to rabid raccoon in Orangeburg County
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) says a raccoon found in Orangeburg County has tested positive for rabies.
The raccoon was found near Savannah Highway and Hutto Road in Nesses.
And was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on June 10, and was confirmed to have rabies on June 11.
Three people were exposed and have been referred to their healthcare providers, according to DPH.
One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
“Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination is the easiest way to protect you and your family from this deadly virus,” says Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager. “Any mammal has the ability to carry and transmit the disease to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space.”
If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this raccoon or another animal that potentially has rabies, call DPH’s Charleston office at (843) 953-4713 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).
This raccoon is the second animal in Orangeburg County to test positive for rabies in 2026.
In 2025, none of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Orangeburg County.
For more information on rabies visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc
