South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) officials are urging residents to stay vigilant after three animals in different counties tested positive for rabies. The cases involve a horse in Aiken County, a skunk in Anderson County and a raccoon in Charleston County, each exposing people or pets to the deadly virus.
Aiken County Horse Exposure
The rabid horse was located near Wire Road and Jaws Lane in Aiken. The animal was submitted for laboratory testing on August 18, 2026 and confirmed positive the following day. Thirteen people who came into contact with the horse have been referred to their health‑care providers for post‑exposure evaluation. This incident marks the seventh confirmed rabies case in Aiken County for 2026.
Anderson County Skunk Case
In Anderson County, a skunk found near Stratford Drive and Reed Road tested positive for rabies after being submitted on August 17, 2026. Two dogs that were exposed to the skunk will be placed under quarantine in accordance with the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The Anderson case is the eighth rabid animal reported in the county this year.
Charleston County Raccoon Confirmation
A raccoon discovered near the intersection of Brevard and Harvard roads in Charleston was also submitted for testing on August 17, 2026 and confirmed positive on August 18. Like the Anderson skunk, two dogs were exposed and will undergo the required quarantine. This raccoon represents the ninth rabies case recorded in Charleston County in 2026.
Statewide Rabies Trends and Prevention
With these three new cases, South Carolina has documented 72 rabid animals statewide in 2026. For context, the state recorded 101 confirmed cases in all of 2025, including three in Aiken, 11 in Anderson and nine in Charleston. Since 2002, the state averages roughly 136 rabies cases per year.
State law mandates that dogs, cats and ferrets remain continuously vaccinated against rabies. SCDPH also recommends vaccinating livestock when an approved vaccine is available. “Keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccination is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal,” said Terri McCollister, SCDPH rabies program manager. “It is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your livestock from this fatal disease.” McCollister emphasized that vaccination is an investment worth making for peace of mind.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Transmission typically occurs through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, making prompt medical attention after any potential exposure essential.
Anyone who believes they, a family member or a pet may have been exposed to any of the three infected animals—or to another animal suspected of carrying rabies—should contact SCDPH’s 24‑hour rabies reporting line at 888‑847‑0902, selecting Option 2.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
