Skunk exposes Person to Rabies in Pickens Co.

One person is under a doctor’s care after being exposed to rabies in Pickens County by a skunk. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reports the exposure occurred on Dec. 15, and the skunk tested positive for rabies on Dec. 17. Roughly, 275 South Carolinians undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year. The victim attempted to prevent the skunk from crawling underneath the victim’s home when the skunk sprayed and bit. The skunk was captured and euthanized for lab testing. If you think you have been exposed to rabies through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water, get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC. Last year, there were 124 confirmed cases of animal rabies in South Carolina. There have been 135 confirmed cases in animals statewide this year. This is the eighth animal to test positive in 2014 from Pickens County and only one tested positive in 2013.