FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 17, 2006
Charleston County residents urged to avoid stray animals
COLUMBIA – Four people are under a doctor’s care and receiving inoculations to prevent rabies after coming into contact with a stray cat that has 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, a woman who periodically fed the cat noticed it was acting ill and took it to the vet. DHEC confirmed the cat was rabid on August 16.
“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,” Ferguson said. “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. “DHEC advises the public to be sure to 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 24th confirmed rabid animal in Charleston County in 2006. In 2005, 64 animals were confirmed with rabies in the county and there were 220 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 101 confirmed cases in animals in the state.
For more information about rabies, see DHEC's Web page at: www.scdhec.gov, click on the A-Z list, select “R,” then click on rabies, or contact DHEC’s Charleston County Environmental Health Office at (843) 202-7020. 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:
Adam Myrick – (803) 898-3884
E-mail – myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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