Rabid Animals Confirmed in Anderson and Florence Counties; Three People and Two Pets Exposed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 28, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a cat and a raccoon have tested positive for rabies in separate incidents.

• In Anderson County, the raccoon that tested positive for rabies was found near Poore Drive and Rocky Ford Road in Honea Path, S.C. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
• In Florence County, the cat that tested positive for rabies was found near Center and Aire Acre roads in Timmonsville, S.C. Three people were exposed and have been referred to their health care provider.

The Anderson County raccoon was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing Aug. 25, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies Aug. 26, 2025. The Florence County cat was submitted for testing Aug. 26, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies Aug. 27, 2025. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this raccoon, cat, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH's 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).

"To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space," said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director. "If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or wildlife rehabilitator." An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. If your pet is found with wounds of unknown origin, please consider that your pet may have been exposed to rabies.

It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. In 2025, the Anderson County raccoon is the sixth animal to test positive in that county, and the Florence County cat is the third animal to test positive for rabies in that county. There have been 58 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, three of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Anderson County, and five were in Florence County.

Contact information for local Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.

###