FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 4, 2006
Residents alerted about danger of rabies; advised to vaccinate domestic animals
COLUMBIA – Three adults from the Williamston area in Anderson County who were bitten by a puppy are under a doctor’s care and receiving inoculations to prevent rabies after the pet tested positive for the disease, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
According to Sue Ferguson of DHEC's Bureau of Environmental Health, the 18-week-old puppy, which had not been vaccinated against rabies, exposed six other people who are also receiving preventive inoculations. The investigation is continuing to determine whether there were other people and animals at risk from exposure to the disease.
“Because rabies is fatal to humans and animals, anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal must undergo immediate preventive measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain,” said Ferguson. “State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies, and we strongly encourage residents to avoid contact with stray animals and make sure their own pets have been vaccinated to protect both the pets and their owners.
“Be wary of tame animals ‘acting wild’ and wild animals ‘acting tame’ and if you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal or domestic pet, immediately wash the wound with plenty of soap and water,” she said. “Get immediate medical attention for any possible exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal and to be sure to report the incident to DHEC.”
Ferguson said that about 400 South Carolinians have to undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year after being bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. This is the seventh confirmed rabid animal in Anderson County in 2006. In 2005, there were 19 animals confirmed cases of rabies in the county and 220 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 93 confirmed cases in animals in the state.
For more information about rabies, see DHEC's Web page at: www.scdhec.gov/rabies, call Bob Bailey at (864) 227-5928. 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
or
Bob Bailey – (864) 227-5928
E-mail – baileyrd@dhec.sc.gov