The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control last week a bat was confirmed to have rabies in Gaston.

The bat was found near Kimmey Road and Fish Hatchery Road in Gaston. There are no known human exposures reported at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the SC Rabies Control Act.

The bat was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on Nov. 30 and was confirmed to have rabies on Dec. 1.

DHEC reminds the public to report any possible human or animal exposures by contacting the local Environmental Affairs office. Be sure to immediately wash any part of the body that may have come into contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water and seek medical attention. Exposure is defined as a bite, scratch, or direct contact with saliva or body fluids from an infected animal It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination which is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease.

“Rabid bats have been known to transmit the rabies virus to humans and pets,” said David Vaughan, director of DHEC’s Onsite Wastewater, Rabies Prevention, and Enforcement Division. “People don’t always realize they’ve been bitten since bat teeth are tiny and bites are easy to overlook. Because of this, you should always assume a person could have been potentially bitten” and take action.