North Carolina warns mobile petting zoo visitors of rabies exposure after baby goats test positive

North Carolina Petting Zoo Issues Rabies Alert After Four Baby Goats Test Positive

A mobile petting zoo in Harmony, North Carolina, has prompted a public health warning after four baby goats were found to carry rabies. Health officials urge anyone who had contact with the goats between July 28 and August 27 to seek medical evaluation and possible post‑exposure prophylaxis.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released the alert after the state laboratory confirmed rabies in four juvenile goats that belonged to Farm Adventures, a mobile petting‑zoo company that tours events across several counties. The infected animals—named Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno—were housed in a separate pen from the rest of the herd and were too young to have been vaccinated against the disease.

According to the agency, the goats were exposed to a skunk that had entered their pen. “The skunk was removed, but we were not aware that the goats had been bitten,” Farm Adventures said in a Facebook post. “They showed no sign or symptoms of rabies,” the company added. The four goats were euthanized to prevent further spread of the virus.

NCDHHS advises anyone who touched or fed the baby goats—whether at the Harmony location or at off‑site events—to contact their local health department. “We’re working closely with public health officials, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and animal control to address this issue and ensure the safety of our animals and clients,” Farm Adventures said. “These past few days have been incredibly difficult for us,” the company added.

The petting zoo’s mobile operations have been active in multiple counties, hosting events that often involve children and the elderly. Organizers of those gatherings have been notified, the department said, and investigators are continuing to identify all potential exposure sites. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that rabies is a fatal viral disease that is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. In the United States, the most common carriers are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. While the CDC estimates that roughly 100,000 Americans receive rabies vaccinations following a potential exposure each year, human cases remain exceedingly rare. In North Carolina, no human rabies infections have been reported since 2011.

Health officials stress that the risk to the public is low, provided that prompt medical care is sought after an exposure. The NCDHHS encourages people who may have been in contact with the goats to obtain a rabies evaluation as soon as possible. If a person is found to be at risk, a series of vaccines can prevent the onset of the disease, which, once symptomatic, is nearly always fatal.

Farm Adventures said a veterinarian had performed a necropsy on one of the goats to investigate the source of infection. The state laboratory confirmed that several goats had tested positive for rabies, prompting the company’s decision to euthanize the animals.

As the investigation continues, the department is working to trace every event where the goat herd was present. The goal is to protect the health of community members, particularly those who may be more vulnerable, such as young children and seniors, who may have had close contact with the infected goats.

Residents of the affected counties and anyone who interacted with the farm’s animals are urged to check with their local health department for guidance. The NCDHHS has set up an online portal where individuals can report potential exposures and receive instructions on next steps.

Farm Adventures’ social media post ends with a reminder that the company remains committed to public safety and to preventing further incidents. “We are working closely with public health officials, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and animal control to address this issue and ensure the safety of our animals and clients,” it says again.

The incident highlights the importance of routine vaccination for livestock, even young animals, and vigilant monitoring of wildlife that may interact with domestic and farmed animals. As authorities work to close the case, the focus remains on preventing any possible transmission of rabies to humans.