FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2008
Anderson County residents advised to be wary of wild animals
COLUMBIA – The public is alerted to be especially wary of wild animals after a fox attacked a Honea Path resident Monday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control advised today.
"DHEC's Bureau of Laboratories confirmed yesterday that the fox tested positive for rabies," said Sue Ferguson of DHEC's Bureau of Environmental Health. "DHEC wants to remind citizens about the dangers posed by wild animals and advise people to avoid contact with them, especially during the warmer months when people naturally spend more time outside and have more chance for interaction with animals."
Ferguson said the resident is receiving preventive inoculations because anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal must undergo immediate measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain. Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals.
"Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild," Ferguson said. "An animal suffering from rabies might not show the stereotypical signs of foaming at the mouth, but instead might stagger, show little natural fear of humans or be a normally nocturnal animal out in the daytime.
"Never attempt to feed, pet, adopt or trap a wild animal, and if you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water," she said. "Then be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC."
In 2007, there were 162 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. This is the 61st confirmed case of rabies in animals so far this year. This is the fourth confirmed case of rabies in animals in Anderson County this year.
For more information about rabies, see DHEC's Web page at: http://www.scdhec.gov/rabies or contact DHEC’s Anderson County Environmental Health Office at (864) 260-5585. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web page about rabies can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies.
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For more information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
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