Rabid fox found near animal hospital, at least one person exposed, SC officials say

One person was exposed to a rabid fox found in Aiken County, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Monday.

The fox was sent to DHEC’s lab for testing on Saturday, and was confirmed to have rabies a day later, officials said in a news release.

The animal was discovered in Aiken, in the area near Rivera Road and Varden Drive, according to the release. That’s close to downtown Aiken, and less than half a mile from an animal hospital.

The person was told to seek medical care, health officials said. Further information on the person’s condition was not available.

“If you, someone you know, or your pets have come into contact with this fox or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Aiken office at 803-642-1637 during normal business hours, or after hours and on holidays at 888-847-0902 (Select Option 2),” health officials said in the release.

Additionally, if you think you’ve been exposed to a rabid animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water, officials said.

Health officials said an exposure is direct contact — possibly through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth — from a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva, body fluids, or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected or possibly infected animal.

Getting pets vaccinated for rabies is the best way to protect against the disease, DHEC said.

No pets are known to have been exposed to the fox in this incident, according to the release.

“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space,” DHEC’s Rabies Program Team Leader Terri McCollister said in the release. “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 a wildlife rehabilitator.”

In South Carolina, rabies is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.

This fox is the fourth animal in Aiken County to test positive for rabies in 2022, DHEC said. There have been 49 cases of rabid animals statewide this year.

In 2021, three of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Aiken County, according to the release.

Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year.