Rabid Raccoon Confirmed in Aiken County as South Carolina Reports 30 Cases This Year

South Carolina health officials confirmed a raccoon tested positive for rabies in Aiken County. The animal was located near Archie Ware Road and Desert Palm Lane in Ridge Spring. According to WRDW, One person had contact with it and received medical guidance.

Testing concluded on May 1. The specimen arrived at the lab on April 30. That same day, a raccoon from Lancaster County and a skunk from Lexington County showed rabies infection.

Three dogs encountered the Lancaster County raccoon. Quarantine procedures began under the Rabies Control Act. One dog met the Lexington County skunk and also entered quarantine.

Statewide, South Carolina has logged 30 rabid animals in 2026, per Aiken Standard. The Aiken County raccoon marks the third confirmed case there this year, as does the Lexington County skunk. Lancaster County's raccoon brings that area's total to two.

Contact with saliva or brain tissue from an infected animal counts as exposure. Pet owners who discover unexplained wounds on their animals should assume possible rabies contact.

Officials discovered the Lancaster raccoon near Major Evans and JB Denton roads. No human contact occurred with that creature. The skunk turned up near Evans Addy Road and Peach Place Court in Gilbert.

People who think they, someone else, or their pets touched these confirmed animals should call authorities. The Department of Public Health's Columbia office answers calls at 803-896-4680 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside those hours and on holidays, dial 888-847-0902 and press option 2.