Rabies Alert in North Carolina After Petting Zoo Outbreak

Health authorities in North Carolina have issued a public health warning following the discovery of rabies in multiple baby goats at a mobile petting zoo. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed that three baby goats at Farm Adventures in Harmony, Iredell County, tested positive for rabies on August 28. A fourth goat is presumed infected, though untested.

Source of the Infection

According to state health officials, the infection likely occurred in late July when a skunk infiltrated the goats’ pen. In a Facebook post, Farm Adventures explained that the baby goats, kept separate from the others, were too young for vaccinations. During a skunk encounter, the animals were bitten.

Farm Adventures stated, “We were unaware of the bites since there were no symptoms of rabies. Had we known, we wouldn’t have spent hundreds on veterinary bills.” Fortunately, no other animals at the farm are believed to pose a rabies risk to humans. An investigation is ongoing.

Potential Exposure and Tracing

State and local health departments are urging anyone who had direct contact with the baby goats at Farm Adventures, either on-site or at off-site events from July 28 to August 27, to reach out to their local health authorities. Public locations and dates with potential exposure include:

• July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, Statesville (Iredell County)
• July 30: Private event (Mecklenburg County)
• Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Breeden Amphitheater, Lexington (Davidson County)
• Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, Statesville (Iredell County)
• Aug. 8: Private event (Watauga County)
• Aug. 9: Private event (Burke County)
• Aug. 15: Masonic Picnic Grounds, Mocksville (Davie County)
• Aug. 16: Private event (Durham County)
• Aug. 22: Private event (Iredell County)
• Aug. 23: Private event (Durham County)

Individuals who attended these events should contact health officials or their medical provider to assess preventive treatment, avoiding urgent care or ER visits until instructed.

Understanding Rabies

Rabies is a fatal virus targeting the central nervous system, though human cases in the U.S. are rare. North Carolina has not reported a human case since 2011. Nationally, approximately 1.4 million people seek rabies exposure evaluations annually, with fewer than ten deaths reported thanks to preventive measures.

Rabies is spread through infected saliva, generally via bites or scratches. Early symptoms resemble the flu, such as weakness, fever, headache, and wound irritation. As the disease progresses, it can manifest as:

• Furious rabies: Involving hyperactivity, hallucinations, hydrophobia, cardiorespiratory arrest, and death within days.
• Paralytic rabies: Characterized by gradual paralysis, leading to coma and death. This form accounts for 20% of human cases.

Rabies is preventable with prompt vaccination or medical care post-exposure. Post-exposure prophylaxis, involving wound cleaning, rabies immune globulin, and vaccination, is effective if administered promptly.

Outcome for the Goats

The infected goats, named Molly, Maggie, Cow, and Uno, were euthanized to prevent virus transmission. Farm Adventures stated, “The affected animals have been euthanized to curb the spread. We are monitoring our remaining animals as per health guidelines.”