The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed that two raccoons from different counties have tested positive for rabies.In Anderson County, the rabid raccoon was found near Baxter Drive and Antreville Highway in Iva. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One cat was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.In Lexington County, the raccoon that tested positive for rabies was found near Ben Franklin and Windy Wood roads in Gilbert. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the Rabies Control Act.Both of the rabid raccoons were submitted to the SCDPH’s laboratory for testing on Tuesday and were confirmed to have rabies on Wednesday.If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with either of these raccoons, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Anderson office at (864) 372-3270 or Columbia office at (803) 896-4680 during normal business hours.In 2025, the raccoon in Anderson County is the fifth animal to test positive for rabies in that county, and the raccoon in Lexington County is the second animal to test positive for rabies in that county. There have been 42 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, three of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Anderson County and two were in Lexington County.

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —

The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed that two raccoons from different counties have tested positive for rabies.

In Anderson County, the rabid raccoon was found near Baxter Drive and Antreville Highway in Iva. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One cat was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

In Lexington County, the raccoon that tested positive for rabies was found near Ben Franklin and Windy Wood roads in Gilbert. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the Rabies Control Act.

Both of the rabid raccoons were submitted to the SCDPH’s laboratory for testing on Tuesday and were confirmed to have rabies on Wednesday.

If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with either of these raccoons, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Anderson office at (864) 372-3270 or Columbia office at (803) 896-4680 during normal business hours.

In 2025, the raccoon in Anderson County is the fifth animal to test positive for rabies in that county, and the raccoon in Lexington County is the second animal to test positive for rabies in that county.

There have been 42 cases of rabid animals statewide this year.

Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year.

In 2024, three of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Anderson County and two were in Lexington County.