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Baby goats had rabies at NC petting zoo, attendees urged to contact health officials
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Several baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo in North Carolina were infected with rabies, prompting health officials to urge anyone who had contact with the animals between July 28 and August 27 to seek medical evaluation immediately.
- The infected goats were kept separate due to their young age and inability to be vaccinated; four goats were euthanized after one tested positive for rabies following illness and death.
- A wild skunk, found in the goat enclosure on July 29, is suspected as the source of the infection, though the goats showed no visible bite marks or symptoms prior to testing.
- Local health departments across multiple counties are conducting a coordinated investigation and alerting the public, emphasizing that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available and critical before symptom onset.
- Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted mainly through saliva, with early symptoms resembling the flu; while human cases are rare in the U.S., immediate treatment after exposure is essential to prevent fatality.
