FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2007
DHEC reaches out to softball tournament participants through SC 2-1-1 as rabies investigation continues
COLUMBIA – A number of South Carolina teams that participated in the South Atlantic Summer Showdown softball tournament in Spartanburg County July 13-15 have been contacted while others are still being sought for possible evaluations as part of the multi-state investigation for rabies exposure in stray kittens found at any of the ball fields used in the tournament, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“We have spoken to or received e-mails from nearly 20 teams scattered around the state,” said Lena Bretous, M.D., of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “We still need to hear from several other teams who were at the tournament complexes July 13th through the 15th; as well as the person who left the gray kitten in a barrel-type trash can near a playing field dugout at the Boiling Springs complex.”
Bretous said among the teams still to be contacted and ages of the players include “Carolina Thunder,”(16 and under); “Carolina Sandlappers,” (14 and under); “Carolina Crush,” (10 and under); “Carolina Crush,” (18 and under); “Americaz Most Wanted,” (16 and under); “Palmetto Wildfire,” (18 and under); “Parker Eagles,” (14 and under); “Palmetto Gators,” (12 and under); “Carolina Swarm,” (14 and under); “Upstate Outlawz,” (16 and under) and “Upstate Outlawz,” (12 and under).
“So far, only one person from Spartanburg County is undergoing post-exposure treatment,” Bretous said. “However, it is vital for us to reach everyone who participated in the softball tournament to evaluate anyone who might have been exposed to stray kittens in the area of the facilities.”
Dr. Bretous said fields used in the South Atlantic Summer Showdown tournament included the 295 Sports Complex, 2100 Southport Road, Spartanburg; Southside Complex off Groce Road, Spartanburg; North Spartanburg Complex, 1150 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs; and the Boiling Springs Youth Athletic Association Complex on Bryant Road in Boiling Springs.
Bretous said anyone who was at any of the recreational facilities for softball tournament games July 13-15 and had direct contact with a gray kitten that was passed around in a box or any other stray kittens in that area should call 2-1-1 or their local health department for evaluation. Anyone who was bitten, scratched, licked or otherwise exposed to a kitten’s saliva should call their local health department for evaluation. Simply petting the kitten is not a risk for rabies. To reduce the risk of rabies, parents should teach their children to avoid picking up or handling strays.
DHEC is continuing to coordinate information about the investigation with public health officials in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Teams from the four states played in the tournament.
Dr. Bretous said anyone who thinks they were exposed should call the closest public health department in their state. Those living in South Carolina can call 2-1-1 during the weekend for information about potential evaluation.
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For more information:
Thom Berry – (803) 898-3885
E-mail – berrytw@dhec.sc.gov
BNR1788