Child Exposed to Rabies at Petting Zoo Raises Concerns

Last Friday, Rebecca Lanning received distressing news: her four-year-old son had been exposed to rabies during a recent family outing. The incident occurred on August 15 during a visit to a dinosaur exhibit in Mocksville, North Carolina, which featured food trucks, carnival games, and a petting zoo. Her son interacted with baby goats at the petting zoo, feeding them by hand.

The situation became alarming when Lanning’s son’s aunt informed her of the exposure. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that three baby goats tested positive for rabies; a fourth was suspected of infection. All were euthanized. Concerned for her son’s health, Lanning promptly sought medical attention. He began a series of six rabies vaccination shots, known as post-exposure prophylaxis, which are crucial for preventing the virus if administered before symptoms appear. Rabies, when untreated, can be fatal as it affects the brain and spinal cord.

Rebecca Lanning expressed her fears, especially since her son’s contact with the goats and the possibility of touching his mouth or eyes. “I don’t want to bury my child,” she said. Her son has currently received three of the required six vaccinations.

Rabies symptoms take weeks to months to develop and initially resemble the flu, including weakness, fatigue, fever, and headaches. A “prickling or itching sensation” can occur at the infection site, according to the North Carolina health department.

The health department did not specify how many people were potentially exposed. The goats were part of a mobile petting zoo, Farm Adventures, which attended events such as birthday parties and a “back-to-school bash” across North Carolina from July 28 to August 23. Attempts to contact Farm Adventures for comments were unsuccessful. A Facebook post from the company indicated the goats likely contracted rabies from a skunk that invaded their pen. Common rabies carriers include skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes.

The state health department is collaborating with local health departments and healthcare systems to ensure access to rabies post-exposure prophylaxis for those in need.

Rabies cases seem to be increasing in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.4 million Americans are assessed annually for potential exposure, with about 100,000 receiving post-exposure prophylaxis shots.