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March 14, 2008
DHEC News - Rabies Vaccination Clinics Set
COLUMBIA - During April, the
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
and many veterinarians across the state will join
forces to help residents protect themselves and
their pets from rabies.
"Veterinarians will conduct special reduced-cost
rabies clinics to vaccinate pet cats and dogs
against the fatal disease," said Sue Ferguson of
DHECs Bureau of Environmental Health. "Vaccinations
will cost $3 each at the clinics."
More than 33,000 pets were vaccinated against rabies
during the special clinics statewide last year,
according to Ferguson.
"The continued cooperation of local veterinarians in
this annual effort is greatly appreciated," she
said. "Their participation in the reduced-cost
clinics provides a valuable public service to the
citizens of South Carolina. The threat of rabies
still exists, so we encourage all pet owners to have
their dogs and cats vaccinated."
Rabies is a threat to domestic and wild animals as
well as to humans. In 2007, there were 162 cases of
rabies confirmed in animals in South Carolina.
"As usual, the most cases were in raccoons,"
Ferguson said.
Positive rabies cases last year included 92
raccoons, 32 foxes, 14 skunks, 10 bats, seven cats,
three dogs, two bobcats, and two cows. Although
there were no cases of rabies confirmed in
Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Calhoun, Colleton,
Darlington, Georgetown, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee,
Sumter or Williamsburg counties, positive rabies
cases have been reported in every South Carolina
county during the last decade.
Annually, about 400 South Carolinians undergo
preventive treatment after being bitten by a rabid
or suspected rabid animal. The cost of the treatment
is approximately $1,000 per person.
"Rabies is fatal once it is contracted, but pets can
be protected," Ferguson said. "The most effective
way to protect domestic pets and humans from the
threat of rabies is to have all dogs and cats
vaccinated against the disease."
-more-
Current South Carolina law requires every pet cat
and dog to be vaccinated against rabies by a
licensed veterinarian. The owner of an unvaccinated
domestic pet may be found guilty of a misdemeanor
and fined up to $500 or imprisoned up to 30 days.
Dates, times, and locations of special rabies
vaccination clinics can be obtained from DHECs
county health departments and local participating
veterinarians.
For additional information about rabies, see DHECs
Web page at:
http://www.scdhec.gov/rabies.
NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: A list of rabies
vaccination clinics will be posted on DHEC's Web
site by each of the counties that are having
clinics. The list is available at:
http://www.scdhec.gov and a Word copy is
available by request (please e-mail:
boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov).
Because not everyone has access to the Web, we hope
you will post the clinics for the counties in your
service area with your article or news story.
For more information: Clair Boatwright - (803)
898-4461 E-mail -
boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov CBNR1358 |
