A major rabies exposure involving an Iredell County mobile petting zoo has now affected nearly 350 people across North Carolina. Health officials have recommended preventive rabies treatment for 263 people following contact with infected baby goats.
Farm Adventures, based in Harmony, traveled to events across the state between July 28 and Aug. 27. State officials have identified 10 known exposure incidents, including a private event in Mecklenburg County.
According to a press release from NCDHHS, “If you had contact with the baby goats from Farm Adventures between July 28 and Aug. 27, 2026, call your local health department right away. Call before you go in for care.”
The problem reportedly began after a skunk entered the goats’ enclosure and bit the animals without employees realizing it. Farm Adventures later learned that multiple baby goats had contracted rabies. The affected goats have since been euthanized.
North Carolina health officials identified these potential exposure locations and dates:
- July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, Statesville
- July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County
- Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Lexington
- Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, Statesville
- Aug. 8: Private event in Watauga County
- Aug. 9: Private event in Burke County
- Aug. 15: Masonic Picnic Grounds, Mocksville
- Aug. 16: Private event in Durham County
- Aug. 22: Private event in Iredell County
- Aug. 23: Private event in Durham County
Rabies is especially dangerous because the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. However, prompt post-exposure treatment can prevent the disease after someone encounters a rabid animal.
Rabies remains relatively uncommon among tested animals in North Carolina. In 2025, more than 4,000 animals underwent testing, with about 6% testing positive. The virus is most commonly found in wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.
