North Carolina health officials issue rabies alert after petting zoo exposure

Public health officials in North Carolina have issued an urgent warning following the confirmation of rabies in baby goats at Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony. The infection is believed to have been caused by a skunk that entered the animals' pen in late July.

Three goats tested positive for the virus, and a fourth is presumed infected; all four animals have been euthanized. Because the petting zoo traveled to various locations between July 28 and August 27, officials are concerned that many people may have had direct contact with the animals while they were infectious.

Potential exposure sites include events in Iredell, Mecklenburg, Davidson, Watauga, Burke, Davie, and Durham counties. Health departments are urging anyone who handled, fed, or had close contact with the goats during these dates to contact their healthcare provider immediately to discuss post-exposure prophylaxis, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Farm Adventures owner Misty Love stated that the animals were too young to be vaccinated at the time of exposure. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating with local hospitals and health departments to manage treatment for those potentially exposed.