DHEC confirms rabid bat in Marlboro County; 2 people possibly exposed
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed that a bat found in Bennettsville tested positive for rabies.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control made the announcement Friday.
Two people were potentially exposed and have been referred to their health care providers. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act, SCDHEC said.
The bat was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing Wednesday and was confirmed to have rabies Thursday.
People are advised to never handle a bat or any wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with bare hands. Any bat that could have had potential contact with people, pets, or livestock should be safely trapped in a sealed container and not touched. You should never release a bat that has potentially exposed a person or pet. Once a bat is released, it cannot be tested for rabies, SCDHEC said.
“Rabid bats have been known to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director. “People don’t always realize they or a pet have been bitten since bat teeth are tiny and bites are easy to overlook.”
“Although bats can carry rabies, not every bat is infected with the virus. Bats are an important part of South Carolina’s ecosystems and deserve a healthy degree of respect just like all wild animals,” McCollister said.
If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this bat or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Public Health Florence office at (843) 915-8801 during normal business hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 and select option 2, SCDHEC said.
This bat is the first animal in Marlboro County to test positive for rabies in 2024. There have been 19 cases of rabid animals statewide this year.
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Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13’s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylor’s work here.
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