Local health departments in North Carolina have evaluated hundreds of people for rabies after they interacted with baby goats that were part of a mobile petting zoo, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
As of Wednesday, 284 people have been evaluated by local health departments, while others have consulted with a healthcare provider directly to assess their potential rabies risk.
The goats were owned by Farm Adventures, based in Harmony, North Carolina. Between July 28 and August 27, local officials said in a statement, the farm took the goats throughout the state and visited at least 10 locations, including a Masonic picnic, assisted living centers and a back-to-school bash, as well as private events.
The state health department recommended post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for 213 of the people who were evaluated.
If started promptly after exposure, PEP is considered 100% effective at preventing a fatal rabies infection.
