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Rabid skunk, bats found in four South Carolina counties
WYFF • • health
Key Points:
- Several animals in South Carolina, including a skunk in Greenville County and bats in Greenwood, Pickens, and Beaufort counties, have tested positive for rabies, prompting quarantines of exposed pets and referral of an exposed person to healthcare.
- In 2026, Greenville County has reported five rabid animals, Beaufort County two, Greenwood County six, and Pickens County three, contributing to a statewide total of 78 confirmed rabies cases so far this year.
- The South Carolina Department of Public Health advises against handling wild or stray animals with bare hands and recommends safely trapping potentially exposed bats for testing rather than releasing them.
- Rabies exposure is defined as direct contact with saliva or nervous tissue from an infected animal, and immediate washing and medical attention are critical if exposure occurs.
- State law mandates rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats, and ferrets, with recommendations to vaccinate livestock and other species frequently in contact with humans or considered valuable.
