CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. -- South Carolina health officials say a person was referred to their health care provider after being potentially exposed to rabies by a stray cat.
According to South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), a stray cat attacked a person near Cheraw on April 3, leaving them with scratches and a punctured wound. The stray cat was sent to DHEC's laboratory the day after the incident and later tested positive for rabies.
The cat was described as having long, gray hair with large yellow eyes.
The stray cat is the first animal in Chesterfield County to test positive for rabies in 2018, according to DHEC. There have been 16 confirmed cases of animal rabies statewide this year, DHEC said.
David Vaughan, director of DHEC's Onsite Wastewater, Rabies Prevention and Enforcement Division, said in a press release that it's important to give wild and stray animals their space.
"If you see an animal in need, avoid handling it and contact someone trained in handling the animal, such as your local animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator," said Vaughan.
