North Carolina confirms rabies in three baby goats at Harmony petting zoo

Health officials warn visitors may have been exposed since late July

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Saturday that three baby goats at Farm Adventures in Harmony tested positive for rabies, and state health officials said they assume a fourth goat also contracted the virus. The NCDHHS said anyone who had contact with the goats at the Harmony facility or its mobile petting zoo since late July may have been exposed. Farm Adventures said on its Facebook page that all four animals have been euthanized.

The department said it was first notified of a potential rabies exposure at the facility on Thursday, and the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the positive results two days later. The goats were kept in a separate pen and were too young to have received their vaccinations when a skunk entered the enclosure in late July, according to Farm Adventures.

“Impacted individuals should contact their local health department to determine whether medications are needed to prevent infection,” the NCDHHS said in a statement. The department urged anyone considering treatment to call ahead before visiting an emergency department or urgent care clinic “to determine if treatment is needed and where it can be accessed.”

Health officials believe the goats were exposed by a skunk that entered their pen in late July, according to the department. Farm Adventures said staff were able to remove and “dispose” of the skunk but later learned that the animal had been able to bite the goats before being expelled. The goats showed no signs of infection at the time.

“WE HAD NO CLUE THE GOATS HAD GOTTEN [BIT],” Farm Adventures said on Facebook. “These past few days have been incredibly difficult for us, and we appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time.”

The petting zoo said it is “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.” The company also operates a mobile petting zoo, and the NCDHHS said anyone who visited the mobile operation since late July may have been exposed.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes rabies as a fatal but preventable virus that spreads from animals to people through bites and scratches. The agency classifies rabies as a “serious public health threat” but notes that fewer than 10 deaths from the disease are reported in the United States each year.

About 100,000 Americans receive post-exposure rabies vaccinations each year, according to the CDC. State health officials urged anyone who had contact with the goats to contact their local health department to determine whether medications are needed to prevent infection.

Farm Adventures asked anyone who had been in contact with the affected animals to be aware that the health department would be reaching out.