RALEIGH, North Carolina: North Carolina rabies goats from a mobile petting zoo may have exposed visitors across several counties, prompting state health officials to contact people who handled the animals.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services laboratory tests confirmed rabies in three Farm Adventures baby goats on August 28. Officials also presume that a fourth goat had the virus, although they did not test it.
Authorities believe a skunk that entered the goats’ pen in late July probably exposed the animals. Farm Adventures operates from Harmony in Iredell County and also takes animals to events in surrounding communities.
Health officials identified 10 potential off-site exposure events across Burke, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Watauga counties.
They took place between July 28 and August 23. People could also have encountered the infected goats at the Farm Adventures site through August 27.
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NCDHHS said people who had direct contact with the baby goats during the July 28-August 27 period should contact their local health department. Officials will assess whether preventive medication is needed.
However, authorities said there is no broad public risk. Their investigation found that no other animals on the farm pose a known rabies exposure risk to people.
Rabies spreads mainly through infected saliva, including through bites, scratches or contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.
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The disease is nearly always fatal after symptoms begin, while post-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective when given before symptoms develop.
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North Carolina has not recorded a human rabies case since 2011, according to NCDHHS. The department said its investigation remains underway and it will release additional verified exposure locations if officials identify them.
