Lexington County residents and pet owners be warned.

This is rabies season.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control has confirmed that a fox found near Windsor and Stratford Roads in Cayce tested positive for rabies. 

A person has been referred to their healthcare provider after being exposed to the fox May 29.

It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination,;

Please contact DHEC if you know of any possible human or animal exposure.

Immediately wash any part of your body that may have come in contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water and seek medical attention.

Exposure is defined as a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva or body fluids from an infected animal.

If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it as the possibility of exposure to rabies can occur.

Contact your local animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator.

If you believe that you, someone you know or pets have come into contact with a rabid animal, please call DHEC at (803) 896-0620 during normal business hours.

To report a bite or exposure outside of business hours, please call (888) 847-0902.

This fox is the 7th animal in  Lexington County to test positive for rabies in 2020.

There have been 51 cases of rabid animals statewide this year.

Since 2011, South Carolina has averaged 130 positive cases a year.

In 2019, 17 of the 148 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in  Lexington County.