FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2008
Spartanburg County residents alerted about danger of rabies; advised to vaccinate pets
COLUMBIA – Seven people who were exposed to rabies by a stray dog in Spartanburg County are under the care of a physician after the dog tested positive for rabies, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said today.
"One person was exposed in the Canaan community of Spartanburg County by the unvaccinated animal, which had been seen around the neighborhood for several years," said Sue Ferguson of DHEC's Bureau of Environmental Health. "The other six exposures were to veterinary care staff who were exposed while treating the dog."
Ferguson said once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals, so those who were at risk are receiving preventive inoculations. According to Ferguson, anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal must undergo immediate measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain.
"Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild," Ferguson said. “About 400 South Carolinians must undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year, with most exposures from being bitten or scratched by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. Wild animals carry the disease most often, but domestic pets can contract rabies as well. Therefore, to protect both the pets and their owners, we strongly encourage residents to make sure their pets are regularly vaccinated against the disease. State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies.
"If you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water," she said. "Then be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC."
This is the seventh confirmed rabid animal in Spartanburg County in 2008. Last year, there were 17 rabid animals confirmed in the county. In 2007, there were 162 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 122 confirmed cases in animals in the state.
For more information about rabies, see DHEC's Web page at: http://www.scdhec.gov/rabies or contact DHEC's Spartanburg County Environmental Health office at (864) 596-2227. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web page about rabies can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies.
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For more information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
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