Harmony, North Carolina – Three baby goats from Farm Adventures in Harmony recently tested positive for rabies following exposure to a rabid skunk in late July. A fourth baby goat presumably contracted the deadly virus as well, though it was not tested.
Health officials in the state are urging guests who interacted with the goats, either at the Harmony location or at one of the mobile sites, between July 28 and August 27, to reach out to their health care providers.
The baby goats impacted by rabies were all euthanized. In a press release, the North Carolina Department of Health said no other animals at the farm are believed to be sick:
Based on information gathered on August 28, it was determined that no other animals on the farm pose a risk of rabies exposure to people.
Known potential exposure dates and locations include:
- July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville in Iredell County
- July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County
- Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Breeden Amphitheater, 333 S. Main St., Lexington in Davidson County
- Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, 2806 Peachtree Road, Statesville in 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 in Davie County
- Aug. 16: Private event in Durham County
- Aug. 22: Private event in Iredell County
- Aug. 23: Private event in Durham County
Potentially Exposed? Here’s What to Know
People who visited the petting zoo and had direct contact with the rabid goats should contact a healthcare provider or their local health department for an individual risk assessment. Simply being near or petting an infected animal does not necessarily constitute a rabies exposure. The virus is transmitted through infected saliva or nervous tissue entering the body, such as through a bite, scratch, open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth.
If you may have been exposed, wash any wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice promptly. It is not necessarily too late to receive treatment if the exposure occurred days or even a week ago. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can still be effective when started after a delay, provided symptoms have not begun. People who have never been vaccinated against rabies typically receive rabies immune globulin and a four-dose vaccine series; previously vaccinated people generally require two vaccine doses.
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