In North Carolina, local health departments are currently assessing hundreds of individuals for potential rabies exposure, all stemming from encounters with baby goats from a mobile petting zoo, as reported by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
As of Wednesday, 284 individuals have been evaluated by health departments, and others have opted to consult healthcare providers directly regarding their risk of rabies.
The goats belonged to a business named Farm Adventures, based in Harmony, North Carolina. Officials noted that between July 28 and August 27, the farm took the goats to various events across the state, including a Masonic picnic, assisted living centers, a back-to-school event, and multiple private gatherings.
The state health department advised that 213 of those evaluated should receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
If administered quickly following exposure, PEP is highly effective—nearly 100%—at preventing fatal rabies infections.
Each year, around 100,000 individuals in the U.S. receive PEP, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Initially, treatment involves care for any wounds caused by bites or scratches. Contact with an infected animal’s saliva can also pose a threat. Following that, human rabies immunoglobulin is administered to combat possible infection until the vaccine takes effect. Depending on the patient’s weight, they may receive four to five doses of the vaccine.
Historically, rabies vaccinations used to be quite painful, requiring up to 30 shots in the stomach. Nowadays, adults can receive them in the shoulder, while children generally are vaccinated in the thigh over a span of 14 days. Side effects tend to be mild, possibly causing a sore arm, headaches, or upset stomachs.
Without timely treatment, rabies can be fatal. Its symptoms may take as long as two months to manifest and can include headaches, nausea, and sore throats, eventually leading to hallucinations, disorientation, paralysis, and coma.
At Jurney’s Assisted Living Home in Statesville, the Executive Director, Chrissy Stein-Martin, reported that eight residents are currently undergoing treatment after their interaction with the goats. Notably, all agreed to receive PEP, and she mentioned that the health departments have been very cooperative.
“They’ve been asking good questions, wanting to know how they can assist. The health department is even coming here to ensure the follow-up vaccinations are done without needing to transport the residents. The families have also been incredibly supportive,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Stein-Martin mentioned that while the facility will continue to welcome dog visitors, farm animals will no longer be permitted. She shared an interesting point about the rabies vaccination requirements in North Carolina, which only apply to cats, dogs, and ferrets—not to farm animals like goats—and decided that it was simply not worth the risk.
Farm Adventures confirmed that the “four precious baby goats” potentially linked to the rabies cases have been euthanized after tests showed the virus in three of them. The farm stated they are keeping a close watch on their other animals, which currently show no signs of illness.
Misty Love, the farm’s owner, explained that the baby goats were separated since they were too young for vaccinations. A wild skunk had entered their pen on July 29, prompting the farm to take action by shooting and incinerating the skunk.
Although none of the goats seemed to have sustained bites, one died on August 19 and another required euthanasia the following day due to illness.
The North Carolina health department reassured the public that they are “well prepared to respond to rabies.” Annually, the state sees about 300 animals testing positive for the disease, predominantly among wild species.
In a related report from 2025, over 4,000 animals were screened for rabies in North Carolina, with only about 6% testing positive, according to health officials.
As of August 28, more than 320 individuals in North Carolina have received PEP, covering all rabies exposures in the state, not solely those linked to the goats.
Following the rabies confirmation in the goats, health authorities at both state and local levels, along with the CDC, have been actively working with the farm and local agencies to track potential exposures and identify individuals who may need treatment.
The state health department indicated consistent communication with the CDC, which has provided resources and guidance to support the risk assessments related to rabies.
The latest CDC report on rabies exposure surveillance, published recently, reviewed data from 2024, revealing that four individuals died from rabies that year. Two did not receive treatment after exposure to bats, while another case involved international travel; the details of the fourth case remain unclear.
The state health department confirmed that they possess a sufficient quantity of prophylaxis and will make it available to anyone requiring it.
The Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, which hosted a private event with potential goat exposure, chose not to disclose specific details regarding the event or the individuals affected. They encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to the department.
Interestingly, at Jurney’s, Stein-Martin described how the residents have remained “not stressed at all” about the situation. Rather, they’ve managed to keep things light-hearted, joking around and even mimicking goat sounds.
She emphasized the importance of humor in what could otherwise be a frightening scenario. In fact, she shared that her residents are pushing her to write a new psychological thriller about a rabies scare in an assisted living environment.
“Unexpectedly, I now feel like I’m 100% qualified to do that,” she remarked.
