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Nearly 300 people may have been exposed to rabies from goats at a petting zoo
WRDW • • health
Key Points:
- Three baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies, with a fourth goat presumed infected; all four were euthanized.
- The goats, owned by Farm Adventures in Harmony, toured 10 locations statewide between July 28 and August 27, potentially exposing nearly 300 people to rabies.
- Over 200 individuals have been advised to receive rabies vaccinations following evaluations for possible exposure after interacting with the goats.
- State health officials believe the goats contracted rabies from a skunk that entered their pen, and no other farm animals are currently considered a risk to the public.
- Farm Adventures acknowledged the baby goats were too young for rabies vaccination and were unaware they had been bitten, prompting concerns about the decision to bring unvaccinated animals to public events.
