DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. – The Davidson County Health Department is warning of a potential rabies exposure connected to a traveling petting zoo at a community event earlier this month.
Health officials said four goats that were part of the petting zoo at the Community Connections event at Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington on Aug. 1 tested positive for rabies.
The health department said anyone who attended the event and held a baby goat may have been exposed and should contact the department for a risk assessment.
Farm Adventures, the traveling petting zoo that organized the event, said the goats were euthanized to prevent any further spread of the virus. The zoo said the goats were bitten by a skunk, which led to the rabies diagnosis.
“The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread,” the zoo said in a Facebook post. “We will be closely monitoring our remaining animals under the guidelines provided by health officials.”
The goats’ names were Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno. Farm Adventures is based in Iredell County.
A call center has been set up at 336-242-2371.
The phone line will be open:
Friday, Aug. 28, until 8 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Health officials said additional information will be released if the call center is needed Sunday.