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Four baby goats at mobile petting zoo in North Carolina test positive for rabies
Developing
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said 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 Thursday should contact local health officials.
The baby goats were too young for vaccination and were bitten by a skunk that was found in their separate pen, the petting zoo said. “The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread,” it said.
Health professionals may determine whether people who had contact with the baby goats need further examination or precautionary medication, it said. “We are working closely with public health officials, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and animal control to address this issue and ensure the safety of our animals and clients,” it said in its statement.
North Carolina hasn’t had a reported human case since 2011, the state health department said. “The petting zoo held off-site events involving children and elderly individuals across multiple counties within that time frame,” the department said.
Skunks are one of the animals most often found with rabies, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can get rabies through pets, wild animals and other humans through a bite, a scratch or even infected saliva, it said.
Roughly 100,000 Americans a year receive a rabies vaccine following a potential exposure, according to the CDC. It said it was unaware the goats had been bitten, and that they did not show typical symptoms of the disease.
The petting zoo, responding to a comment on Facebook, said it’s hoping its customers are unaffected. Without it, rabies is almost always fatal in humans, the state health department said.
After the first goat’s death, the petting zoo sent its body to be tested, it said. The petting zoo said it’s cooperating with state and local government officials.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said 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…
- “The petting zoo held off-site events involving children and elderly individuals across multiple counties within that time frame,” the department said.
- Health professionals may determine whether people who had contact with the baby goats need further examination or precautionary medication, it said.
- Without it, rabies is almost always fatal in humans, the state health department said.
- “The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread,” it said.
- The baby goats were too young for vaccination and were bitten by a skunk that was found in their separate pen, the petting zoo said.
- It said it was unaware the goats had been bitten, and that they did not show typical symptoms of the disease.
- After the first goat’s death, the petting zoo sent its body to be tested, it said.
Sources
- NBC Newslink