Three people exposed to rabid fox in Lexington, health officials say
Three people have been exposed to a rabid fox found in Lexington County, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Tuesday.
The fox was sent to DHEC’s lab for testing on July 23, and was confirmed to have rabies a day later, officials said in a news release.
The animal was discovered in Lexington, in the area near Peach Tree Rock Road between Jules Road and Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, according to the release.
The people have been told to seek medical care, health officials said. Further information on their conditions was not made available.
“If you, someone you know, or your pets have come into contact with this fox or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Columbia office at 803-896-0620 during normal business hours, or after hours and on holidays at 888-847-0902 (Select Option 2),” health officials said in the release.
Additionally, if you think you’ve been exposed to a rabid animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water, officials said.
Health officials said an exposure is direct contact — possibly through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth — from a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva, body fluids, or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected or possibly infected animal.
Getting pets vaccinated for rabies is the best way to protect against the disease, DHEC said.
No pets are known to have been exposed to the fox in this incident, according to the release.
“Any mammal has the ability to carry and transmit the disease to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” DHEC’s Rabies Program Team Leader Terri McCollister said in the release. “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.”
This fox is the third animal in Lexington County to test positive for rabies in 2022, DHEC said. There have been 45 cases of rabid animals statewide this year.
In 2021, seven of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Lexington County, according to the release.
Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year.
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This story was originally published July 26, 2022 at 3:47 PM.
