Rabid raccoon found near downtown Columbia, health officials say
At least one person was exposed to a rabid raccoon that was recently found near downtown Columbia.
That person was told to seek medical treatment after the raccoon tested positive for rabies on Sept. 4, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control officials said Tuesday in a news release.
Further information on the person’s condition was not available.
DHEC said the raccoon was found near Blossom and Poinsettia streets, in the area between Dreher High School and Whole Foods Market.
No household pets are known to have been exposed to the rabid raccoon, but DHEC said keeping pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations is the best way to protect against the spread of the deadly virus.
“In South Carolina, rabies is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but pets are just as susceptible to the virus. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it. Contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator,” DHEC’s Onsite Wastewater, Rabies Prevention, and Enforcement Division director David Vaughan said in the news release. “If you believe that you or someone you know has had contact with or been potentially exposed to this or another suspect animal, please reach out to your local Environmental Affairs office.
“An exposure is defined as a bite, a scratch, or contact with saliva or body fluids from an infected or possibly infected animal.”
This raccoon is the sixth animal in Richland County to test positive for rabies in 2020, health officials said. Last year, seven of the 148 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Richland County, according to the release.
That includes a rabid coyote that attacked six people and at least two dogs almost a year ago to the day at the Crossroads Apartment complex in the 700 block of Zimalcrest Drive. In that Sept. 1, 2019 attack, the coyote followed a woman walking her dogs inside her apartment in the area densely packed with restaurants and retail businesses.
There have been 116 cases of rabid animals statewide this year, and South Carolina has averaged approximately 130 positive cases a year since 2011, according to DHEC.
DHEC officials said if a pet is found with unknown wounds it could have been exposed to rabies, and the owner should call 803-896-0620 during normal business hours, or 888-847-0902 at other times.
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