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

North Carolina health officials are urging people who touched baby goats at a mobile petting zoo to contact their local health department after several goats tested positive for rabies.The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said the infected goats were from Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony, North Carolina, that attended off-site events across multiple counties.Anyone who had contact with baby goats from Farm Adventures, either at its Harmony location or at an off-site event between July 28 and Aug.27, should contact their local health department to determine whether medication is needed to prevent infection, according to NCDHHS.During that period, NCDHHS said Farm Adventures held off-site events involving children and elderly individuals across multiple counties.Organizers of those events are being notified, the agency said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing and additional information about potential exposure locations will be released when available.In a Facebook statement, Farm Adventures said four of its baby goats had contracted rabies and that the animals had been euthanized to prevent further spread.The petting zoo identified the goats as Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno.“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,” Farm Adventures said.According to Farm Adventures, the baby goats were housed in a separate pen away from the other animals at the petting zoo.The four goats were too young to receive their vaccinations when a skunk entered their pen, according to Farm Adventures.

While the skunk was removed, the petting zoo was not aware that the goats had been bitten.“They showed no sign or symptoms of rabies,” Farm Adventures said.Farm Adventures said one of the animals was ultimately sent for a necropsy after its veterinarian investigated what was happ...