ANDERSON, S.C. -- An Anderson woman was bitten by a fox that tested positive for rabies, health officials said.

"The lady was bitten while she was in her yard," said Sue Ferguson of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The woman is receiving medical care to prevent the rabies virus.

Ferguson said once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals, so the woman is receiving preventive inoculations.

According to Ferguson, anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal must undergo immediate measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain.

"Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild," Ferguson said. "About 400 South Carolinians must undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year, with most exposures from being bitten or scratched by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. Wild animals carry the disease most often, but domestic pets can contract rabies as well.

"Therefore, to protect both the pets and their owners, we strongly encourage residents to make sure their pets are regularly vaccinated against the disease. State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies.

"If you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water," she said. "Then be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC."

This is the eighth confirmed rabid animal in Anderson County in 2008.

Last year, there were two rabid animals confirmed in the county.

In 2007, there were 162 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 83 confirmed cases in animals in the state.