By admin 
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina health officials said this weekend that rabies-infected baby goats with a mobile petting zoo were in “direct contact” with people at 10 state sites during a month, including two in Durham County over roughly the last two weeks, possibly exposing people to rabies.
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The concern involves baby goats with Farm Adventures in Harmony, in Iredell County, a mobile petting zoo that travels North Carolina for various public and private events, according to a Saturday night state Department of Health and Human Services news release.
The mobile petting zoo had three rabies-infected baby goats “confirmed” on Friday and a fourth assumed to have the virus, the release said.
The baby goats in the zoo visited various North Carolina events since July 27, the approximate date officials said a rabid skunk entered the goat pen and is believed to have infected the goats.
Also, some visitors to the zoo’s location in Iredell County were possibly exposed while the baby goats were infected, officials said.
State authorities said Saturday that anyone who had contact with the goats “may have been exposed while the animals were infectious.”
Durham County officials said Saturday night that those who attended county events with affected goats will be contacted within the next 48 hours.
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The infected animals are noteworthy for having close interaction with people, state officials added.
“Because baby goats are frequently bottle-fed, handled closely, or cuddled, public health officials are working proactively to ensure anyone who had direct contact with the affected animals is evaluated,” the release said.
Officials said that they are working with event organizers to notify attendees who had contact with the infected goats at these events.
Dates and locations for potential rabies exposure include:
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- July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living at 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville in Iredell County
- July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County
- Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash at Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington
- 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 at 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
“Impacted individuals should contact their local health department to determine whether medications are needed to prevent infection,” the news release said.
Rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from wild animals to pets and people, primarily through a bite, scratch or when infected saliva touches broken skin or mucous membranes.
Symptoms can begin weeks to months after someone is exposed. Early symptoms are flu-like illness including weakness, fever or headache as well as a prickling or itching sensation where someone was bitten or exposed.
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