Coyote found in Mount Pleasant tested positive for rabies; one person exposed

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A coyote that was recently found in Mount Pleasant has tested positive for rabies.

State health officials say the coyote was found near N Highway 17 and Weaver Circle. One person was exposed.

It was submitted to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) lab for testing on Monday and was confirmed to have rabies the following day.

News 2 reported on a coyote attack earlier this week in Mount Pleasant; however, it was not made clear if the two are related.

State health officials say if you, someone you know, or your pets have come into contact with this coyote, call DHEC’s Public Health Charleston office at (843) 953-4713 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).

“Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination is the easiest way to protect you and your family from this deadly virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director. “Any mammal has the ability to carry and transmit the disease to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space.”