S.C. 2-1-1 telephone system is activated as DHEC contacts softball tournament participants

COLUMBIA - The state's 2- 1-1 telephone information system is being activated as players, coaches, families and others in South Carolina who participated in the South Atlantic Summer Showdown softball tournament in Spartanburg County July 13-15 are being urged to contact public health officials for information and possible evaluations as part of the multi-state investigation for rabies exposure in stray kittens found at any of the ball fields during the tournament, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said.

"We have spoken to or received emails from teams in the Midlands, Low Country and Upstate regions of South Carolina," said Lena Bretous, M.D., of DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control. "We still need to hear from others who were at the tournament complexes July 13-15 to determine who else might have been exposed to stray kittens.

"Because life-saving medical treatment might be necessary, we want to speak to anyone who is at risk, including the person who left the gray kitten in a barrel-type trash can near a playing field dugout at the Boiling Springs complex," she said.

Dr. Bretous said DHEC staff have heard from and are contacting a number teams from throughout the state that participated in the softball tournament. Fields used in the South Atlantic Summer Showdown tournament included the 295 Sports Complex, 2100 Southport Road, Spartanburg; Southside Complex off Groce Road, Spartanburg; North Spartanburg Complex, 1150 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs; and the Boiling Springs Youth Athletic Association Complex on Bryant Road in Boiling Springs.

"Rabies is 100 percent fatal," Bretous said. "However, there is an opportunity to prevent the death of someone who has been exposed by giving post-exposure treatments. Therefore it is vital for public health officials to evaluate anyone who might have been exposed to stray kittens in the area of the facilities.

Anyone who was at any of the recreational facilities for softball tournament games July 13-15 and had direct contact with a gray kitten that was passed around in a box or any other stray kittens in that area should call their local health department for evaluation.

Anyone who was bitten, scratched, licked or otherwise exposed to a kitten's saliva should call their local health department for evaluation. Just petting the kitten is not a risk for rabies. To reduce the risk of rabies, parents should teach their children to avoid picking up or handling strays.

Dr. Bretous said one person in Spartanburg County is undergoing post-exposure treatments.

DHEC is coordinating its investigation with several other states. Dr. Bretous said anyone who thinks they were exposed should call the closest public health department in their state.

Those living in South Carolina can call 2-1-1 or contact the closest DHEC County Public Health Department during regular office hours for further evaluation.