South Carolina – South Carolina health officials are urging residents to stay alert after rabid animals were confirmed in three counties, leading to exposures involving 11 people, four pets and two livestock animals.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health said the cases were found in Spartanburg, Berkeley and Saluda counties.
While each incident happened in a different part of the state, officials said the message is the same: rabies remains a serious public health threat, and quick reporting is critical when people or animals may have been exposed.
In Spartanburg County, a skunk found near Old Spartanburg Highway and McElrath Road in Woodruff tested positive for rabies. DPH said no people are known to have been exposed in that case. However, two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required under the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on May 8, 2026, and rabies was confirmed on May 12.
A second case was confirmed in Berkeley County, where a raccoon found near Windwood and Summer lanes in Moncks Corner tested positive. Two people were exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. Two dogs also were exposed and will be quarantined under the Rabies Control Act.
The Berkeley County raccoon was submitted for testing on May 12 and confirmed positive on May 13.
The third case involved a calf in Saluda County. Officials said the animal was found near Denny and Prosperity highways in Prosperity and later tested positive for rabies. Nine people were exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. Two calves were also potentially exposed.
DPH said safety response actions have been put in place after consultation with the agency’s Public Health Veterinarian and the State Veterinarian with Clemson University Livestock Poultry and Health.
The Saluda County calf was submitted to DPH’s laboratory on May 12 and confirmed positive on May 13.
Anyone who believes they, someone they know, or their pets may have come into contact with the skunk, raccoon, calf, or any other animal that could have rabies is asked to call DPH’s 24-hour rabies reporting line at (888) 847-0902 and select Option 2.
State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and kept current on those vaccinations.
Officials also said livestock can become infected and should be vaccinated when USDA-approved rabies vaccines are available. Animals such as goats and swine, which do not have licensed rabies vaccines, should still be evaluated carefully when they have frequent human contact or are considered valuable.
“Keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccination is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal. 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. That is an investment worth making to provide yourself some peace of mind,” said Terri McCollister, DPH’s Rabies Program manager.
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The Spartanburg County skunk and Berkeley County raccoon are the first rabid animals confirmed in their counties this year. The Saluda County calf is the third rabid animal confirmed in Saluda County in 2026. Across South Carolina, 33 rabid animals have been confirmed so far this year.
Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged about 136 positive rabies cases annually. In 2025, the state confirmed 101 rabies cases, including four in Spartanburg County, two in Berkeley County and one in Saluda County.
Local public health office contact information is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. More information about rabies can be found at dph.sc.gov/rabies and cdc.gov/rabies.
