Rabies Cases Confirmed in Upstate South Carolina Animals
Rabies has been confirmed in a skunk from Greenville County and bats from Greenwood and Pickens counties in Upstate South Carolina. Several domestic animals, including cats, dogs, and goats, were exposed and will be quarantined.
Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, August 27, 2026 — Rabies has been confirmed in several animals across Upstate South Carolina, prompting quarantine measures for exposed domestic pets. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has reported positive rabies tests for a skunk originating from Greenville County and for bats found in Greenwood County and Pickens County.
Following these confirmations, public health officials are notifying residents and taking necessary precautions. The reports indicate that several domestic animals have been exposed to the confirmed rabid animals. These exposed domestic animals include cats, dogs, and goats.
As a standard procedure following potential rabies exposure, these domestic animals will undergo quarantine. The duration and specific conditions of the quarantine are determined by public health authorities based on the type of animal, the nature of the exposure, and the vaccination status of the domestic animal.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals. It is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, or when infectious material from a rabid animal (like saliva) gets into an open wound or mucous membrane. DHEC consistently advises the public to avoid contact with wild animals and to ensure pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
Further details regarding the specific locations of the confirmed animal cases within the counties or the exact number of domestic animals affected were not immediately available. The contractor’s name involved in any testing was also not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Mary Kate Howland on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.
