# Rabies exposure at North Carolina petting zoo > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rabies-exposure-at-north-carolina-petting-zoo > Updated: 2026-09-11T18:11:31.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 4. Public health officials in North Carolina issued warnings after several baby goats at Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony, tested positive for rabies. The exposure is believed to have occurred after a skunk entered a closed enclosure in late July, potentially biting the animals. Because the goats were too young to be vaccinated, the four infected animals were subsequently euthanized. As the investigation progressed, authorities expanded the list of potentially affected counties to include Davidson and Rowan, alongside Mecklenburg, Iredell, Watauga, Burke, Davie, and Durham. The mobile zoo operated across these areas between July 28 and August 27, visiting sites such as assisted living facilities, community back-to-school events, and private gatherings. Recent data from the state Department of Health and Human Services indicates the scale of the exposure is significant. To date, 284 individuals have undergone evaluation for potential rabies exposure, with 213 people being recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Health officials noted that exposure may have occurred through contact with animal saliva, even in the absence of a direct bite. In response to the incident, advocates are calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement more uniform, nationwide guidelines for petting zoos, noting that the current system relies on a “patchwork of local and state regulations” which may pose risks to public and animal welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has since issued a health advisory warning of a nationwide increase in rabies exposures, noting that rabies-related inquiries rose by 17% between July and August compared to the previous year. The CDC cited the North Carolina mass exposure event as a significant factor in these trends. ## Claims - 284 people have been evaluated by local health departments for potential rabies exposure. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The state health department recommended post-exposure prophylaxis for 213 of the evaluated individuals. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Farm Adventures took the infected goats to at least 10 locations across North Carolina between July 28 and August 27. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Bites from an infected skunk may have caused the rabies spread among the goats. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is nearly 100% fatal but preventable if post-exposure prophylaxis is administered before symptoms appear. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The mobile petting zoo was based in Harmony, North Carolina. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Approximately 100,000 people are treated with post-exposure prophylaxis in the US each year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Four baby goats from Farm Adventures were euthanized after testing positive for rabies. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries from July through August compared to the same period last year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - At least eight state health departments reported increases in rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration or errors in administration. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nearly 300 people were exposed to rabid baby goats from a mobile petting zoo in North Carolina. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: CDC warns of rising rabies exposures and inquiry rates in the US The CDC warns of rising rabies exposures in the US, noting a 17% increase in inquiries and a mass exposure event in North Carolina involving a mobile petting zoo. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cdc-warns-of-rising-rabies-exposures-and-inquiry-rates-in-the-us ### 2026-09-04: North Carolina petting zoo rabies exposure prompts medical alerts Nearly 300 people in North Carolina have been evaluated for rabies exposure after interacting with infected baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-carolina-petting-zoo-rabies-exposure-affects-hundreds ### 2026-08-31: North Carolina health officials issue rabies alert after petting zoo exposure North Carolina health officials have issued a rabies exposure alert after baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo tested positive for the virus during events across multiple counties. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-carolina-officials-confirm-rabies-in-petting-zoo-goats ### 2026-08-29: North Carolina petting zoo issues rabies exposure warning North Carolina health officials are warning visitors of a petting zoo after four baby goats tested positive for rabies following exposure to a skunk. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-carolina-officials-warn-of-rabies-exposure-at-mobile-petting-zoo --- Cite as: Rabies exposure at North Carolina petting zoo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rabies-exposure-at-north-carolina-petting-zoo