09/01/2026
⚠️ Rabies Reminder:
Have you seen the news about Western North Carolina's scary situation with rabies positive goat kids (baby goats). In this case the other animals on the farm were up to date on their vaccines but the goat kids were too young to be vaccinated. This is a crucial reminder to ensure you are vaccinating your eligible animals and being mindful of interactions others have with unvaccinated animals on your property.
Quick Refresher on Rabies:
**Once clinical symptoms appear in an animal or human, rabies is virtually >99% fatal with no cure or effective treatment.
**Vaccination is our only true defense. Post-exposure vaccination is recommended for those exposed to suspected or confirmed rabid animals.
**In North Carolina, the primary wildlife carriers are raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats.
**Watch for Abnormal Behavior: Nocturnal wildlife active in broad daylight, showing unusual aggression, lack of fear, or uncoordinated movement, should be treated as suspect.
**If you ever find a bat in your home - call the Health Department, bat bites are so small you won't even know if you have been bit.
**If an animal dies or is euthanized after showing unexplained neurological signs, have them submitted for state rabies testing to protect anyone who handled them. Your veterinarian will help facilitate this and know they are protecting you through this process.
**Check with your routine veterinarian to confirm your dogs, cats, horses, and livestock are current on their rabies vaccines.
**If you suspect an animal has been exposed or see wildlife acting abnormally, do not handle them—call your local veterinarian, animal control, or county health department immediately.
Possible exposure dates/locations include:
-Statesville
-Lexington
-Mecklenburg
-Watauga
-Burke
-Davie
-Durham
-Iredell counties.
If you touched or handled the goats at any of these events, contact your local health department before visiting urgent care/ER to see if preventive treatment is needed.
Rabies is deadly but preventable.
More info here epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/rabies.html
