A rabid bat found near Greenville’s North Main Street has left one person exposed and referred to a health care provider. The discovery also marks Greenville County’s fourth rabies-positive animal of 2026, adding another warning for residents and pet owners during the summer wildlife season.
The bat was found near the intersection of North Main and West Court streets, according to a report by Greenville Journal. The person who was exposed was referred to a health care provider, and anyone who suspects contact with the bat is urged to call the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s Upstate Greenville-Spartanburg office at 864-372-3270.
What Greenville residents should know about bat exposure
South Carolina DPH says people should never handle a bat or other wild animal with bare hands. Bat bites can be tiny and easy to miss, so officials advise assuming a possible exposure if someone wakes up with a bat in a room or tent, if a bat is found near an unattended child or pet, or if there was direct contact.
Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched should wash the area with soap and water and seek medical attention, while pet owners should make sure rabies vaccinations are current. The South Carolina DPH says rabies is a medical urgency that is preventable with prompt, appropriate care.
Greenville case comes amid a statewide run of rabies alerts
The Greenville case follows a string of rabies announcements across South Carolina this month. A July 23 DPH release reported 63 rabies-positive animals statewide at that point, while Friday’s Greenville Journal report put the 2026 total at 66.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, six of South Carolina’s 81 confirmed rabies cases in 2024 were in Greenville County. The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported that Greenville County accounted for three of South Carolina’s 78 confirmed rabies cases in 2023, while neighboring Pickens County had six.
Bats can get into homes and other structures through surprisingly small openings, and four South Carolina species are commonly associated with residences and buildings. For removal help, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of authorized wildlife control operators; residents should contact trained professionals rather than trying to handle a bat themselves.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States reports around 4,000 animal rabies cases each year, with more than 90% occurring in wildlife such as bats, raccoons and skunks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says approximately 6% of bats submitted to U.S. public health departments annually test positive for rabies virus.
