Lexington County has its second confirmed animal with rabies in less than a month.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced that a coyote was found near 12th Street and Walter Price Road in Cayce that tested positive for rabies. Two people who were exposed were referred to their healthcare providers.

The coyote was submitted for lab testing June 5 and was confirmed to have rabies June 6.

It is the third animal to test positive for rabies in Lexington County in 2023, following closely behind a bat with rabies that was found May 17 in Chapin.

The county remains behind the pace for rabies cases in 2022, when there were eight animals confirmed to have the disease.

Statewide, there have been 25 cases of rabid animals in 2023. According to DHEC, the state has averaged about 148 positive cases a year since 2002.

“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch which allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” Terri McCollister, Rabies Program team leader for DHEC, is quoted in a release. 

“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DHEC.”

The agency asks that anyone who believes they, their pets or someone they know have come in contact with the rabid coyote in Cayce or another animal that could potentially have rabies to call the department’s Midlands Public Health Columbia office at (803) 896-0620 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (select Option 2).

“It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease,” the release states.