Person near Bluffton exposed to rabid raccoon, health officials say
A raccoon found in Beaufort County tested positive for rabies last week, health officials confirmed Friday.
The animal was found in the Moss Creek neighborhood near Saw Timber and Victoria drives. One person was exposed and “referred to their health care provider,” according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
The incident marks the first confirmed case of rabies in Beaufort County this year. Last year, two animals tested positive in Beaufort County out of 101 in the state, according to SCDPH.
A second raccoon tested positive last week for rabies in Pomaria, South Carolina. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined.
Both animals were submitted for testing on Wednesday and were confirmed to have rabies on Thursday, SCDPH said.
According to Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager for SCDPH, any mammal can carry and transmit rabies to humans or pets.
“Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination is the easiest way to protect you and your family from this deadly virus,” McCollister said in a statement.
SCDPH officials urge anyone who believes they, someone they know or their pets may have come into contact with a potentially rabid animal to contact DPH’s Beaufort office at 843-525-7603 during normal business hours or 888-847-0902 after hours and on holidays.
This story was originally published February 15, 2026 at 10:27 AM.
