An Horry County man who was exposed to a stray cat is receiving preventive shots for rabies after the animal tested positive.
"The man was exposed after the cat was seen acting strangely in a Garden City community," said Sue Ferguson of DHEC's Bureau of Environmental Health. "The cat was having trouble walking and seemed disoriented, classic signs of rabies."
Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals.
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.
"Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild," Ferguson said. "About 400 South Carolinians must undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year, with most exposures from being bitten or scratched by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. Wild animals carry the disease most often, but domestic pets can contract rabies as well."
Ferguson went on to say, "Therefore, to protect both the pets and their owners, we strongly encourage residents to make sure their pets are regularly vaccinated against the disease. State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies."
"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."
This is the ninth confirmed rabid animal in Horry County in 2009. Last year, there were 14 rabid animals confirmed in the county. In 2008, there were 166 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 114 confirmed cases in animals in the state.
For more information about rabies, click here for DHEC's Web page or contact DHEC's Horry County Environmental Health office at (843) 915-8801.
