Rabid Bat Confirmed in Dillon County; Two Pets Exposed – SCDHEC
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Sept. 21, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Division of Well being and Environpsychological Administration (DHEC) confirmed that a bat found shut to Stay Oak Lane and Woodcreek Drive in Dillon, S.C., has examined constructive for rabies. No People are acknowledged to have been uncovered Presently. Two cats have been uncovered and Shall be quarantined as required Inside the South Carolina Rabies Administration Act.
The bat was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on September 16, 2021, and was confirmed to have rabies on September 17, 2021.
By no means deal with a bat or any wild or stray animal, alive or lifeless, Collectively with your naked palms. Any bat That would have had potential contact with particular persons, pets, or livestock Ought to be safely trapped in a sealed container And never touched. As quickly as a bat is launched, It might’t be examined for rabies. By no means release a bat that has probably uncovered A particular person or pet.
“Rabid bats have been acknowledged to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program Group Chief. “People don’t On A daily basis understand they or a pet have been bitten since bat tooth are tiny and chews are straightforward To overlook. As a Outcome of of this, You should On A daily basis assume A particular person or pet has probably been bitten when:
• They Get As a lot as Uncover a bat in a room;
• A bat is found the place youngsters, pets, or particular persons with impaired psychological performance (intoxicated or psychologinamey disabled) have been left unattended; or
• They’ve been in direct contact with a bat.”
You will Have The power to’t inform if a bat, or One other animal, has rabies by merely Taking A look at it. Rabies Want to be confirmed in a laboratory. Unusual conduct in bats Which might level out the animal has rabies consists of daytime exercise, lack of ability to fly, and being Current in places They do not Appear to be typinamey seen, like In Your house or In your backyard. Publicity is outlined as a chew, scratch, or contact with saliva or physique fluids from an contaminated animal. Guarantee To proper away wash any An factor of your physique Which will have Are out there contact with saliva or neural tissue with An excellent deal of cleansing soap and water and search medical consideration.
“Although bats can carry rabies, not every bat is contaminated with the virus. Bats are An important An factor of South Carolina’s ecosystems and deserve a healthful diploma of respect Similar to all wild animals,” said McCollister.
Do you have to think about That you merely, somephysique You understand, or your pets have Are out thereto contact with this bat or another animal that probably has rabies, please name DHEC’s Environpsychological Affairs Florence office at (843) 661-4825 all by way of regular enterprise hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Choose Selection 2).
It is rather important primarytain pets Up So far on their rabies vaccination, as That is Amongst The numerous biggest and Best methods To shield in the direction of the illness. This bat is The primary animal in Dillon County To look at constructive for rabies in 2021. There have been 71 circumstances of rabid animals statewide this yr. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged roughly 148 constructive circumstances a yr. In 2020, Definitely one of many 168 confirmed rabies circumstances in South Carolina was in Dillon County.
Contact information On your native Environpsychological Affairs Well being workplaces Is out there at www.scdhec.gov/EAworkplaces. For extra information on rabies, go to www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.
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