A rabid raccoon entered the Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia Dec. 18.

Tthe Department of Health and Environmental Control did not reveal where in the hospital.

DHEC confirmed that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

One person was exposed and has been referred to their healthcare provider.

The raccoon was the 14th animal in Lexington County to test positive for rabies in 2020.

167 cases of rabid animals statewide were reported this year.

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

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

"To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space," said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program Team Leader.

"If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator."

If you believe that you or someone you know has had contact with or been potentially exposed to this or another suspect animal, call your local Environmental Affairs office. 

An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. 

It's important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination.

If your pet is found with wounds of unknown origin, please consider that your pet could have been exposed to rabies.

Contact (803) 896-0620 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).

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

Contact information for local Environmental Affairs Offices is available at www.scdhec.gov/EAoffices. For more information on rabies visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.