Four baby goats from a travelling petting zoo in North Carolina test positive for rabies after visiting multiple counties
Dr Krista Edelman, the Richmond, Virginia gastroenterologist whose Instagram post about waking to find a bat in her mouth has since drawn more than 1.1 million views.A rabid bat — the animal at the centre of Dr Krista Edelman's alarming ordeal — tested negative for rabies, allowing her to discontinue her preventive vaccine course.
Four baby goats — Molly, Maggie, Cow and Uno — belonging to Farm Adventures, an Iredell County-based travelling petting zoo, have tested positive for rabies after being bitten by a skunk. The zoo made two visits to Durham County in August and appeared at a minimum of six locations across North Carolina between 28 July and 27 August, potentially exposing hundreds of members of the public to the infected animals. North Carolina health authorities are urging anyone who handled the goats at any event to contact their local health department immediately. The goats have been euthanised, and no other animals at the zoo are currently confirmed to be affected.
Among the zoo's multiple public stops across the state was a back-to-school bash in Lexington.
Rabies is nearly always fatal by the time symptoms appear, though post-exposure treatment is highly effective when sought promptly.
Anyone who visited Farm Adventures between 28 July and 27 August and touched or interacted with the baby goats is urged to call 336-242-2371 prior to seeking care at an emergency department.
