At least one person exposed to rabid cat in Lexington County, SC officials say
One person was exposed to a rabid cat found in Lexington County, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Wednesday.
The cat was sent to DHEC’s lab for testing on Monday, and was confirmed to have rabies a day later, officials said in a news release.
The animal was discovered in Batesburg-Leesville, in the area near Line Street and Summerland Avenue, according to the release. That’s close to U.S. 1 and the Church Street area that’s densely packed with restaurants and retail businesses.
The person was told to seek medical care, health officials said. Further information on the person’s condition was not available.
The cat was not the only rabid animal recently found in the Midlands.
A raccoon found near S.C. 341 and Black Swamp Road in Lynchburg also tested positive for rabies, according to the release. That’s in Lee County.
No people or pets are known to have been exposed to the raccoon at this time, DHEC said.
“If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this Lexington County cat, Lee County Raccoon, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Columbia office at 803-896-0620 or Sumter office at 803-778-6548 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) 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 deadly virus, DHEC said.
“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space,” DHEC’s Rabies Program Team Leader Terri McCollister said in the release. “If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator.”
In South Carolina, rabies is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, according to the release.
This cat is the seventh animal in Lexington County to test positive for rabies in 2022, DHEC said. There have been 68 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, DHEC said.
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