(WSPA) — A person has possibly been exposed to rabies in the Enoree area of Spartanburg County, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
They say the person was possibly exposed after handling a skunk’s carcass with bare hands on March 7.
The skunk tested positive for the disease, according to DHEC.
They say this is the first case of rabies reported in Spartanburg County this year.
There have been 19 confirmed cases of rabies in the state this year, according to DHEC.
They say there were 130 confirmed cases of rabies in South Carolina last year, 5 of which were from Spartanburg County.
Sandra Craig, with DHEC, says that “it is impossible to to tell by appearance if an animal has rabies or some other condition.”
They encourage everyone to be cautious around wild or stray animals, and to keep pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
They also say to never handle wild or stray animals with your bare hands.
For information about rabies, click here.