Four baby goats at North Carolina petting zoo test positive for rabies
Four baby goats from a traveling petting zoo in Lexington, N.C., were confirmed rabies positive, prompting health officials to warn attendees of possible exposure and set up a call center for risk assessments.
The Davidson County Health Department has issued a warning after four baby goats used in a traveling petting zoo tested positive for rabies following an event at the Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington on Aug. 1. The goats, identified as Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno, were euthanized after a skunk bite was determined to be the source of the infection, according to Farm Adventures, the company that operates the petting zoo.
"The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread," the zoo said in a Facebook post, adding that remaining animals will be closely monitored under health officials' guidelines.
Health officials advise anyone who handled the goats at the Community Connections event to contact the department for a risk assessment. A dedicated call center operates Friday, Aug. 28, until 8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional information to be released if needed on Sunday.