The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued a public‑health warning on Tuesday for residents who had contact with baby goats at Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony, N.C. The agency says four infant goats tested positive for rabies after a skunk entered their pen.
Who may have been exposed
Farm Adventures operated off‑site events across several counties from July 28 through Aug. 27. Children, seniors and other visitors who handled the baby goats at any of those events – or at the zoo’s home location in Harmony – are advised to call their local health department. Health officials will determine whether a series of rabies‑preventive injections is needed.
What happened
According to Farm Adventures, the four goats – named Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno – were too young to have received rabies vaccinations when a skunk entered the pen where they were housed separately from the adult animals. The skunk was removed, but the zoo was unaware that the goats had been bitten. The animals showed no outward signs of illness before they were euthanized to stop any further spread.
One of the goats was sent to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health for necropsy, where laboratory testing confirmed rabies infection. State officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional exposure locations will be announced as they become known.
Rabies risk and prevention
Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The virus spreads primarily through bites or scratches from infected wildlife such as bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates roughly 100,000 Americans receive rabies post‑exposure vaccinations each year.
Human rabies cases are exceedingly rare in the United States, and North Carolina has not recorded a human case since 2011. Prompt medical treatment after a potential exposure is essential to prevent the disease.
What families should do
Parents and caregivers who think they may have touched the goats should:
- Contact their county health department immediately.
- Provide details about the date, location and nature of the contact.
- Follow the health department’s recommendation regarding rabies immune globulin and vaccine series.
Farm Adventures released a statement saying it is cooperating fully with public‑health officials, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and local animal‑control agencies to ensure the safety of its animals and clients.
Community response
Local officials emphasized the importance of reporting any potential exposure quickly. “Our priority is protecting the health of North Carolinians, especially our children and seniors who enjoy these community events,” said a spokesperson for NCDHHS.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official health‑department channels and to practice caution when interacting with wildlife or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
