[REVISION HISTORY]

Rabies exposure at North Carolina petting zoo

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-06 08:21 UTC → 2026-09-11 20:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.