- HEALTH & FITNESS
NC health officials warn of possible rabies exposure tied to petting zoo goats
Sunday, August 30, 2026 3:15PM
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) –The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) are investigating a potential rabies exposure linked to Farm Adventures Mobile Petting Zoo
Officials say multiple baby goats from the petting zoo tested positive for rabies and could have come into contact with people at the petting zoo’s primary location in Harmony or at mobile events in several counties while the goats were infectious
The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that entered the pen where they were kept in late July. The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the rabies virus in three baby goats on Aug. 28. A fourth goat was not tested but is presumed to have been infected
Based on information gathered Aug. 28, no other animals on the farm pose a rabies exposure risk to people
According to NCDHHS, the affected goats were not present at any public events in Durham County. People who attended private events with the affected goats in Durham County will be notified within the next two days
Anyone who came into contact with baby goats at petting zoo events in other counties between July 28 and Aug. 27 should contact their county health department to assess their risk and determine whether medication is needed to prevent infection
Contact information for North Carolina health departmentscan be found here
NC health officials warn of possible rabies exposure tied to petting zoo goats
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For updates on the investigation, visit the NCDHHS news website here
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