LEXINGTON (WACH) -- Health officials say a child was bitten by a fox that carried the rabies virus earlier this week in the Red Bank area of Lexington County.
The child is currently under the care of a physician and undergoing vaccinations.
So far this year, there have been two cases of confirmed rabies in Lexington County. In 2009, there were 152 confirmed cases statewide.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control wants to take the chance to remind people of the dangers of rabies.
According to experts, it only takes a scratch to transfer the disease that is fatal to both humans and animals. Once the rabies spreads to the brain the disease becomes deadly.
If you think you've come in contact with the saliva of an animal infected by rabies, officials say to wash the area with soap and water and seek doctor's care.
And the best defense is to leave suspicious animals alone.
“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 can contract rabies as well. "
To protect your pets, be sure to have them regularly vaccinated for rabies.
Click here for more information about the rabies virus.
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