A rabid animal was found in Lexington County. How to keep your pet safe.
State public health officials confirmed Thursday afternoon that a raccoon in Lexington County tested positive for rabies and exposed one dog to the virus.
The raccoon was found near Murraywood and Mapleview drives in Columbia, S.C. That’s in a neighborhood just off Saint Andrews Road, right outside the town of Irmo. One dog was exposed to the rabid animal and has been placed under quarantine, the S.C. Department of Public Health said in a press release. No people were exposed, the department said.
The exposure is Lexington County’s first positive rabies case for an animal this year. The animal was submitted for testing to the health department on Feb. 3 and tested positive the next day.
Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people and other animals from the saliva of infected animals. Once symptoms begin to show, the virus is almost always fatal. There have been seven cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 136 positive cases a year.
“It is very important for you to seek medical attention if you have been exposed to a wild, stray, or domestic animal. The rabies virus ... can be transmitted through a bite, scratch, broken skin, and the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose, or mouth,” Terri McCollister, the department’s rabies program manager, said in the release.
The best way to prevent your pet from contracting the virus is to keep them up to date on rabies vaccinations, the department said. If you’re worried about the cost of getting your pet vaccinated, many organizations offer the shots for an affordable price.
The Humane Society in Columbia offers the shots for $15 and requires that you make an appointment prior to bringing your pet. The health department also maintains an online list of places to get your pets vaccinated for rabies for cheap.
