Thirteen people in Aiken County were exposed to rabies after a horse near Wire Road and Jaws Lane tested positive for the disease. South Carolina Department of Public Health officials confirmed the positive test for the horse, which was submitted for laboratory testing on August 18, 2026, and confirmed rabid on August 19, 2026. Those exposed have been directed to their healthcare providers.
This incident is part of a broader increase in rabies cases across South Carolina, with 72 rabid animals reported statewide this year. In addition to the Aiken County case, two other animals in different counties recently tested positive for rabies.
In Anderson County, a skunk found near Stratford Drive and Reed Road tested positive for rabies. This exposure led to two dogs being quarantined as mandated by the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk was submitted for testing on August 17, 2026, and confirmed rabid on August 18, 2026.
Similarly, in Charleston County, a raccoon located near Brevard and Harvard Roads also tested positive for rabies, exposing two dogs. These dogs will also undergo quarantine in accordance with state law. The raccoon was submitted for testing on August 17, 2026, and confirmed rabid on August 18, 2026.
State law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and to receive revaccinations for continuous protection using vaccines approved by the South Carolina Department of Public Health and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Livestock are also susceptible to rabies, and officials recommend that all livestock capable of receiving USDA-approved rabies vaccinations be vaccinated.
A Rabies Program manager with the Department of Public Health emphasized the importance of keeping pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccinations. The manager stated that vaccination is a crucial responsibility for animal owners and an effective way to protect individuals, families, pets, and livestock from the fatal disease, calling it an investment for peace of mind.
