North Carolina issues rabies exposure warning for petting zoo visitors
North Carolina health officials urged anyone who had contact with baby goats from Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo, to contact their local health department. Four goats tested positive for rabies after a skunk bit them, and the animals were euthanized. The exposure window was between July 28 and Aug. 27, and events were held across multiple counties.
The infected goats were too young for rabies vaccinations when a skunk entered their pen, and staff removed the animal without realizing it had bitten them. The goats showed no symptoms, and only after a veterinarian ordered a necropsy did state lab tests confirm rabies. Farm Adventures has since euthanized the four animals—Molly, Maggie, Cow, and Uno—and is cooperating with state agriculture and health agencies.
The exposure window spans July 28 to August 27, during which the mobile zoo held events involving children and elderly people across multiple counties. Health officials are notifying event organizers and will release more location details as the investigation continues. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, so prompt medical evaluation is critical for anyone who had direct contact with the goats.
This incident could create heightened anxiety among families and caregivers who attended petting zoo events, especially those with young children or older adults, who are more vulnerable to severe outcomes. It may also prompt stricter oversight of mobile animal exhibits, including vaccination requirements and enclosure security, as well as increased public awareness about rabies risks from seemingly healthy animals. Local health departments could see a surge in inquiries, and the zoo’s reputation may suffer, though the cooperative response may mitigate long-term trust damage.