MARLBOROUGH COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has confirmed that a bat found in Bennettsville has tested positive for rabies.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Friday.
Two people were potentially infected and referred to health care providers. According to SCDHEC, two dogs are infected and will be quarantined under the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
The bat was submitted to a DHEC laboratory for testing on Wednesday and was confirmed to have rabies on Thursday.
People are advised to never handle bats, wild animals, or stray animals, dead or alive, with bare hands. Bats that may come into contact with people, pets, or livestock should be safely confined in sealed containers and protected from contact. Never release bats that can pose a danger to people or pets. According to SCDHEC, bats cannot be tested for rabies once they are released.
“Rabies bats are known to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terry McCollister, rabies program director. “People don't necessarily realize they or their pets have been bitten because bats' teeth are small and bites can be easily overlooked.”
“Bats can transmit rabies, but not all bats are infected with the virus. Bats are an important part of South Carolina's ecosystem, and like other wildlife, There should be a healthy degree of respect,” McCollister said.
If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pet has been exposed to this bat or another potentially rabid animal, please contact the DHEC Public Health Florence Office during regular business hours at 8:30 a.m. ( Please call us at (843) 915-8801. 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or after hours and holidays, call (888) 847-0902 and select option 2, according to SCDHEC.
The bat will be the first animal to test positive for rabies in Marlboro County in 2024. There have been 19 cases of rabies across the state this year.
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Taylor Ford is a digital journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee from News13's Florence bureau. Learn more about Taylor's work here.
