A child who was exposed to a stray cat Sunday, Nov. 15 is under the care of a physician after the animal tested positive for rabies, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said Wednesday.

The child was visiting a relative’s home in the Pomaria area and the cat was one of a group of strays being fed.

The cat was captured after attacking the child.

The girl, and anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal, must undergo immediate measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain.

Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals, so the child is receiving preventive inoculations, said Sue Ferguson of DHEC’s Bureau of Environmental Health.

Jim Raymond, Region 3 Assistant Environmental Health Director, said children need to be taught to avoid stray and wild animals.

“No matter how tame they may appear, children should not attempt to pet or hold these animals,” said Raymond. He added that the girl will be fine and is receiving post-exposure rabies treatment.

Background

The Pomaria cat is the third confirmed rabid animal in Newberry County in 2009. Last year, there were eight rabid animals confirmed in the county.

Statewide in 2008, there were 166 confirmed cases of rabies in animals. So far this year, there have been 140 confirmed cases in animals in the state.

To help control rabies, DHEC’s Rabies Control Act requires quarantine and testing of domestic pets like dogs, cats and ferrets that could expose a person to rabies through a bite, scratch or cut.

DHEC also quarantines pets exposed to rabid or suspected rabid animals and requires rabies shots for pets. DHEC sponsors rabies inoculation clinics.

The reservoir for rabies is raccoons, foxes, bats, skunks and other wild carnivores, said Raymond.

“Due to habitat destruction and human population pressure on their natural habitats, these animals have adapted the ability to co-habitat with humans,” he said. “We have actually had a person exposed to a rabid kitten in downtown Columbia.”

Action

“Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild,” Ferguson said. “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.

“Therefore, to protect both the pets and their owners, we strongly encourage residents to make sure their pets are regularly vaccinated against the disease. State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies.

“If you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water,” she said. “Then be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC.”

more info

See the info box below, and visit DHEC online at: http://www.scdhec.gov, click on the A-Z list, select “R” and then click on rabies or contact DHEC’s Newberry County Environmental Health office at 321-2175.

The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web page about rabies can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies.