FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 13, 2006

Residents alerted about danger of rabies; advised to vaccinate pets

COLUMBIA – Several people from the Ridgeville area in Berkeley County who might have been exposed to the saliva of a dog that has tested positive for rabies are under a doctor’s care and receiving inoculations to prevent 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 dog was euthanized and tested for rabies after its owner took it to a veterinarian because the dog showed signs of illness.

“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. This is the third confirmed rabid dog and 17 cats have been confirmed with the disease in South Carolina this year.

“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 third confirmed rabid animal in Berkeley County in 2006. In 2005, there were five 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 114 confirmed cases in animals in the state.

For more information about rabies, see DHEC's Web page at: www.scdhec.gov/rabies, or contact DHEC’s Berkeley County Environmental Health Office at (843) 719-4649. 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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