According to the Davidson County Health Department, attendees who held baby goats at an Aug. 1, 2026, community event at Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington, North Carolina, may have been exposed to rabies after four animals from a traveling petting zoo tested positive for the virus.
Traveling Petting Zoo Goats Test Positive for Rabies After Skunk Encounter
Four goats that participated in a petting zoo at the Community Connections event in Lexington tested positive for rabies, health officials announced. According to Farm Adventures, the Iredell County-based traveling petting zoo that organized the exhibit, the animals contracted the virus after being bitten by a skunk.
The four goats—named Molly, Maggie, Cow, and Uno—were euthanized to prevent further spread of the virus, the organization stated in a public social media post. “The affected animals, our four precious baby goats, have been euthanized to prevent further spread,” Farm Adventures said, adding that remaining animals are being monitored under health guidelines.
Health Officials Launch Call Center for Public Risk Assessments
The Davidson County Health Department is urging anyone who attended the Breeden Amphitheater gathering, particularly individuals or family members who held a baby goat, to seek guidance immediately. Rabies transmits through the saliva of an infected animal, making direct contact a potential health risk.
To handle public inquiries, officials established a dedicated call center at 336-242-2371. According to the health department, the phone line operated on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, until 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Did You Know?
Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid mammal. While mammals like skunks, raccoons, and bats are common wildlife reservoirs, livestock such as goats can contract the virus if exposed to infected wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I attended the Lexington petting zoo?
According to the Davidson County Health Department, anyone who attended the Community Connections event on Aug. 1, 2026, and held a baby goat should contact the health department call center at 336-242-2371 for an individual risk assessment.
Which animals tested positive for rabies?
Four baby goats belonging to Farm Adventures tested positive for the rabies virus after an encounter with a skunk.
How is rabies transmitted?
The Davidson County Health Department states that rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, typically via bites or when infectious saliva enters open wounds or mucous membranes.
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