Rabid Raccoon Found in Neighboring Greenwood County; DPH Urges Residents to Vaccinate Pets
July 20, 2026
A raccoon found in Hodges, in neighboring Greenwood County, has tested positive for rabies, prompting a reminder from state health officials for Laurens County pet owners to keep their animals’ vaccinations current.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed the case as part of an announcement involving two counties. The raccoon, found near Blue Jay and Stevenson roads, was submitted to the DPH laboratory July 14 and confirmed positive July 15. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required under the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
In a separate case in Georgetown County, a fox found near Plantersville Road and North Fraser Street in Georgetown also tested positive for rabies. The fox was submitted for testing July 15 and confirmed July 16. One person was exposed and referred to a health care provider, and one dog was exposed and will be quarantined.
Residents who believe they, someone they know or their pets have come into contact with either animal, or any other animal that may have rabies, are asked to call the DPH 24-hour rabies reporting line at 888-847-0902 and select Option 2.
South Carolina law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated often enough to maintain continuous protection, using a vaccine approved by DPH and licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccination is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal,” said Terri McCollister, DPH’s rabies program manager. “It is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect yourself, your family, your pets and your livestock from this fatal disease. That is an investment worth making to provide yourself some peace of mind.”
The Greenwood County raccoon is the fourth animal in that county to test positive for rabies in 2026, while the Georgetown County fox is the first case there this year. Statewide, there have been 59 cases of rabid animals in 2026. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged about 136 positive cases a year. In 2025, three of the state’s 101 confirmed rabies cases were in Greenwood County, and none were in Georgetown County.
Health officials advise residents to avoid contact with wild or stray animals and to report any animal that is acting strangely.
Contact information for local public health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. More information on rabies is available at dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.
