FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2007
DHEC investigating possible rabies exposure at upstate softball tournament
COLUMBIA – The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is continuing its investigation of an incident in which players at a Spartanburg County softball tournament held July 13-15 could have been exposed to a rabid kitten, the agency announced today.
“We’re working to determine which softball teams were playing at the Boiling Springs and Highway 295 sports complexes on July 14,” said Lena Bretous, M.D., of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “To determine if medical treatment is necessary, we’re also trying to find the individual who left the gray kitten in a barrel-type trash can near a playing field dugout at the Boiling Springs complex.”
Dr. Bretous said anyone who was at the two recreational facilities for softball tournament games on July 14, and had direct contact with a gray kitten that was passed around in a box, should call their local DHEC County Public Health Department during regular office hours for further evaluation.
“The deadly rabies virus is spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or by direct contact of the animal’s saliva with an open wound or into the person’s mouth or eyes,” Dr. Bretous said. “If you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water and be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC.”
According to Dr. Bretous, just petting the kitten is not a risk for rabies, but she advises parents to teach their children to avoid petting or picking up strays.
“Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild,” said Sue Ferguson, of DHEC’s Bureau of Environmental Health. “About 400 South Carolinians must undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year, with most exposures from being bitten or scratched by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. Wild animals carry the disease most often, but domestic pets, especially cats, are at higher risk of rabies because they roam and can be exposed to wild animals more frequently.”
To locate the contact information for your local DHEC County Public Health Department you can visit http://www.scdhec.gov/health/ and click on your county.
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For more information:
Adam Myrick – (803) 898-3884
E-mail – myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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