In a concerning development, health officials in North Carolina have detailed potential rabies exposure linked to baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in Iredell County. This revelation follows a confirmed rabies virus detection in three out of four baby goats at Farm Adventures, located in Harmony, North Carolina.
On August 27, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services were alerted to a possible rabies case involving baby goats. It is suspected that a skunk infiltrated the goats’ pen in late July, leading to the exposure. The NC State Laboratory of Public Health subsequently confirmed rabies in three goats on August 28, while a fourth goat, though not tested, is also presumed infected. Officials have since collaborated with the farm and local health departments to assess the risk and identify potential exposure sites.
Individuals who interacted with the baby goats from Farm Adventures, either at the farm in Harmony or during off-site events, between July 28 and August 27, 2026, might have been exposed to rabies. Affected persons are advised to contact their local health department to evaluate the need for preventive medication. It is recommended to call ahead before visiting medical facilities to ascertain the necessity and location of treatment.
Exposure Dates and Locations
- July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville, Iredell County
- July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County
- Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Breeden Amphitheater, 333 S. Main St., Lexington, Davidson County
- Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, 2806 Peachtree Road, Statesville, Iredell County
- Aug. 8: Private event in Watauga County
- Aug. 9: Private event in Burke County
- Aug. 15: Masonic Picnic Grounds, 201 Poplar St., Mocksville, Davie County
- Aug. 16: Private event in Durham County
- Aug. 22: Private event in Iredell County
- Aug. 23: Private event in Durham County
Health officials are coordinating with event organizers to inform attendees about potential contact with the infected goats. The investigation into this matter continues, with further information about public exposure sites to be released as it becomes available.
Rabies, a potentially fatal disease, spreads from wild animals to humans and pets, predominantly through bites or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds or mucous membranes. While the risk of rabies from livestock is lower than from wild animals, exposure remains possible through saliva from an infected animal. Due to the close interaction often involved in bottle-feeding and handling baby goats, public health officials are emphasizing proactive evaluation for anyone who had direct contact with the goats.
Human rabies cases are rare in the United States, with no incidents reported in North Carolina since 2011. The disease is nearly always fatal if untreated before symptom onset, which can occur weeks to months post-exposure. Initial symptoms include flu-like signs such as weakness, fever, headache, and an itching or tingling sensation at the exposure site.
For more detailed information, visit the NCDHHS rabies page.
Read More Here
