Rabid goats at North Carolina petting zoo may have exposed visitors

Key Points:

• Multiple baby goats from the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo in North Carolina tested positive for rabies after being bitten by a skunk, prompting health officials to warn visitors who had direct contact with the goats between July 28 and August 27 to seek rabies risk assessments.
• The petting zoo operates in Iredell County and surrounding areas, and all four infected baby goats were euthanized to prevent further spread; remaining animals are quarantined as authorities investigate potential exposure events across several counties.
• Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted through saliva via broken skin or mucous membranes, commonly found in wildlife such as bats, skunks, and raccoons, but human cases in the U.S. are rare, with none reported in North Carolina since 2011.
• Public health officials urge anyone exposed, especially parents of children who interacted with the goats, to seek immediate medical evaluation and not wait for symptoms, as timely vaccination after exposure is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease.
• Preventative measures include avoiding contact with wildlife, keeping pets’ rabies vaccinations current, and contacting animal control for assistance with potentially rabid animals.