Pickens County skunk exposes one person to rabies

One person has been referred to that individual’s health care provider for a consult–after being potentially exposed to rabies in an area of Pickens County between Six Mile and Pickens.  DHEC reported today the skunk tested positive for the disease.  While handling the skunk’s carcass with bare hands on October 28, the individual was potentially exposed. The skunk tested positive two days later.  According to DHEC’s Sandra Craig, once symptoms of rabies are present in an animal, it is impossible to tell by appearance if an animal has rabies or some other condition that causes signs of illness, such as distemper or lead poisoning.  The only way to determine if the animal has rabies is to have the brain tested in a laboratory.  Animal decapitation for testing, however, should be performed by a professional only.  Professionals are trained to use proper protective equipment, such as face shield and gloves.  The best way to protect your pet and your family from this fatal disease is to keep your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations.  The skunk from Pickens County is the 10th animal from that county to test positive in 2015.  There were eight that tested positive in Pickens County last year.