A stray cat found near Breazeale Street and Blair Mill Road in Belton, Anderson County, South Carolina, has tested positive for rabies, and two people plus several pets were exposed.
What exposure means
- The infected cat was submitted for testing on March 31, 2026, and the rabies diagnosis was confirmed on April 1, 2026.
- Two humans and 16 cats plus nine dogs were considered exposed through direct contact with the cat’s saliva or nervous‑system tissue, which is how health officials define rabies exposure.
- The two exposed people have been referred to healthcare providers for evaluation and possible post‑exposure rabies treatment.
Rabies in Anderson County and South Carolina
- This is the fourth rabid animal in Anderson County in 2026; the state has recorded 22 rabid animals so far this year, close to its long‑term average of about 136 per year since 2002.
- In 2025, 11 of South Carolina’s 101 confirmed rabies cases were in Anderson County, underscoring ongoing local risk.
How to protect people and pets
- Health officials stress that unvaccinated outdoor, stray, or feral cats are a major source of potential rabies exposure.
- The best protection is keeping dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccines, and calling a veterinarian if a pet has unexplained injuries that might indicate contact with a wild or stray animal.
If you or someone you know may have interacted with that Belton cat or another suspicious animal, authorities urge you to call the DPH Upstate Greenville‑Spartanburg office at (864) 372‑3270, or the after‑hours number (888) 847‑0902.
