Family cat exposes 11 in Richland County to rabies

Eleven people in Richland County have been treated after they were potentially exposed to a rabid cat.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has referred 11 people to their private health care providers for post-exposure treatment, according to DHEC public information director Jim Beasley.

After roaming outdoors, the family cat returned home on May 29, 2015, with visible wounds caused by an unknown animal, Beasley said. The incident was reported to DHEC once the cat began showing symptoms of rabies around June 25.

During the period of May 29 through June 25, the cat exposed family members and the veterinary clinic staff who treated it, Beasley said. The cat was not current on its rabies vaccine, and it was confirmed rabid on Friday.

Beasley said this is the fifth animal to test positive this year from Richland County.