Rabid bat confirmed in Charleston County, one pet exposed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – A bat tested positive for rabies in Charleston County, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed that a bat found near Long Shadow Lane and New Ryder Road in North Charleston has tested positive for rabies.
No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required by the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
The bat was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on July 31 and was confirmed to have rabies Aug. 1.
Never handle a bat, or any wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with your 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. Never release a bat that has potentially exposed a person or pet to the virus. Once a bat is released, it cannot be tested for rabies.
Contact information for your local South Carolina Department of Public Health office is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.
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