Did an animal with rabies bite your dog? How to tell and what to do about it in SC

Copperheads, alligators and black bears — South Carolina has its fair share of dangerous wild animals.

But when it comes to rabies, even a usually harmless creature can be deadly. Fortunately, there are ways to tell if an animal you see has rabies. And there are things you can and should do if you see such an animal — as well as steps to take if you or a pet are exposed to rabies.

Here’s what to know.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system in mammals and is transmitted through saliva a few days before death with the infected animal “shedding” the virus,” according to the Humane Society. The virus is not transmitted through the air or through blood, urine, or feces.

Each year, 60,000 Americans receive medical care after potential exposure to rabies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.

Rabies in South Carolina

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the primary carriers of rabies in the state are:

• Raccoons
  
  

• Skunks
  
  

• Foxes
  
  

• Bats
  
  

DPH statistics show that between 2002 and 2023, 52% of reported animals with rabies were raccoons. Skunks accounted for 16%, and foxes 14%. Dogs accounted for just 2% of cases.

Every year, about 148 animals test positive for rabies in South Carolina, and about 30% of those involve human exposure.

How to identify rabies in animals

There are multiple signs that an animal may have rabies. Wild animals may appear to be agitated or they may bite or snap at imaginary and real objects and drool excessively. In other instances, wild animals may appear tame and seem to have no fear of humans.

Sometimes, the animal may appear drunk or excessively wobbly, seemingly partially paralyzed or mutilating itself.

If a typically nocturnal animal, like a raccoon or skunk, is active during the day and showing signs of abnormal behavior, there’s a good chance it has rabies.

What to do if you see an animal with rabies

• Don’t approach or handle any wild animals.
  
  

• If you see an animal that may be sick, contact your local animal control or veterinarian for help.
  
  

• If anyone is bitten by any wild animal, get medical advice from a doctor or health department immediately. The medical doctor will be required to contact the SCDPH.
  
  

• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, reach out to your veterinarian immediately.
  
  

• Scrub any bite wound immediately and aggressively with soap and water and use antiseptic soap if available. Flush the wound thoroughly with water. Afterward, go to your doctor or emergency room.
  
  

• If you or your child are bitten and do not seek medical treatment, you are required to contact your regional DPH public health services office to report the incident by the end of the following business day.
  
  

• If possible, the sick animal should be captured and tested for rabies. Unless you can do so without risking further bites, let animal control professionals handle it.
  
  

• If you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping or where children might have had contact with it, the CDC recommends you assume they’ve been bitten and take the steps listed above.