08/30/2026
Anyone who had contact with the baby goats at Farm Adventures’ location in Harmony, North Carolina, or at one of its mobile events between July 28 and August 27 should contact local health officials about possible rabies exposure.
𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗧𝗦
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has confirmed rabies in baby goats at Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County.
Three of four baby goats tested positive for rabies. The fourth was not tested but is also assumed to have been infected. Investigators believe the goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that entered their pen in late July.
NCDHHS determined that no other animals on the farm pose a risk of rabies exposure to people.
𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗗
NCDHHS identified 10 known potential exposure dates and locations involving the mobile petting zoo, including events in Iredell, Mecklenburg, Davidson, Watauga, Burke, Davie and Durham counties.
Potential exposure occurred both at Farm Adventures’ location in Harmony and at off-site events. Public health officials are working with event organizers to notify people who may have had contact with the infected goats.
While rabies transmission from livestock carries a lower risk than exposure from wild animals, people can still be exposed through saliva from an infected animal. This is particularly relevant with baby goats because they are frequently bottle-fed, handled closely and cuddled.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢?
Anyone who had contact with the affected goats during the potential exposure period should contact their local health department to determine whether medication to prevent rabies infection is needed.
Individuals are encouraged to call before visiting an emergency department or urgent care clinic to determine whether treatment is needed and where it can be accessed.
Sources: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, August 28–29, 2026;
