Public health authorities across multiple North Carolina counties have issued urgent warnings after several baby goats from a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the four baby goats belonging to Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo tested positive for the deadly virus on Friday, Aug. 28. State health officials and local departments are advising anyone who had direct contact with the animals—such as holding, touching, feeding, or otherwise interacting with them at events between July 28 and Aug. 27—to immediately seek a risk assessment.
North Carolina Health Officials Urge Contact After Rabies Exposure
The exposure spans multiple community events and locations where the Iredell County-based traveling zoo operated. Officials noted that the affected animals were present at a community event on Aug. 1 at the Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington, as well as an event on Aug. 9 on Miller Mills Road in Hickory located in Burke County, according to Catawba County officials. In response to the confirmed cases, health agencies in Iredell, Davidson, Rowan, and Mecklenburg counties have released public warnings and urged residents who visited the petting zoo’s location in Harmony or any off-site events to come forward.
Source of Infection and Animal Euthanasia
According to Farm Adventures, the four baby goats—named Molly, Maggie, Cow, and Uno—were exposed to the virus after a wild skunk entered their pen and bit them. The owners stated they were unaware that the animals had been exposed to the virus before the diagnoses were confirmed by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.
To prevent any further spread of the virus, the four goats were euthanized. In a shared social media statement, the petting zoo management expressed grief over the situation, writing, The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread,
and adding, These past few days have been incredibly difficult for us, and we appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time,
as reported by WBTV and WRAL. The organization stated it is cooperating fully with public health, agriculture, and animal control officials while closely monitoring its remaining animals under official guidelines.
Public Health Guidance and Emergency Call Centers
Health authorities emphasize that rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, though it remains entirely preventable if treated early. Transmission occurs when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body through a bite, scratch, or contact with broken skin, eyes, nose, or mouth.
Local health leadership has urged vigilance. Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Kimberly Scott stated, Rabies is a serious illness that is almost always fatal, so it’s important for residents who may have been exposed to take immediate steps to protect health,
adding that parents and caregivers should initiate calls on behalf of children who interacted with the animals and advising residents not to wait for symptoms to appear.
Affected counties have established dedicated channels for public inquiries and risk evaluations:
- Davidson County Call Center: Established at 336-242-2371, operating on Friday, Aug. 28 until 8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Rowan County Public Health: Residents can call 704-305-8636 to discuss potential exposures and follow-up guidance.
- Mecklenburg County Public Health: Urging anyone in contact with the petting zoo goats or a separate local rabies-positive bat near Ballantyne Lake Road to contact them immediately.
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