WITH AN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $300 BILLION ANNUALLY. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HEALTH LEADERS SAY A RABID SKUNK WAS FOUND IN ANDERSON COUNTY. THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS THE SKUNK WAS FOUND WEDNESDAY NEAR FIRST AVENUE AND ROUNDTREE LANE IN STAR. HEALTH LEADERS SAY NO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, BUT A DOG DID COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SKUNK AND WI

State health officials have confirmed that a rabid skunk was found in Anderson County earlier this week.On Wednesday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said that a skunk found near 1st Ave. and Round Tree Lane in Starr has tested positive for rabies.Officials said that no people are known to have been exposed at this time. However, one dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing Monday and was confirmed to have rabies on Tuesday.This skunk is the third animal in Anderson County to test positive for rabies in 2026. There have been nine cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 136 positive cases a year. In 2025, 11 of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Anderson County.If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Anderson office at (864) 372-3270 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease.If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DPH.Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —

State health officials have confirmed that a rabid skunk was found in Anderson County earlier this week.

On Wednesday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said that a skunk found near 1st Ave. and Round Tree Lane in Starr has tested positive for rabies.

Officials said that no people are known to have been exposed at this time. However, one dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing Monday and was confirmed to have rabies on Tuesday.

This skunk is the third animal in Anderson County to test positive for rabies in 2026. There have been nine cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 136 positive cases a year. In 2025, 11 of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Anderson County.

If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Anderson office at (864) 372-3270 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).

It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease.

If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DPH.

Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.