Baby goats with rabies at North Carolina mobile petting zoo prompt calls across multiple counties to contact health officials

Multiple baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in North Carolina were infected with rabies, and authorities are asking anyone who had contact with the animals to reach out to health officials about potential exposure to the rare but deadly virus.

Residents in western North Carolina may have been exposed to the infected goats from Farm Adventures at the mobile petting zoo's location in Harmony or at off-site events between July 28 and August 27, local officials said in a statement. The state has not reported human cases of the virus since 2011.

Exposure may have happened at 10 locations, including an assisted living facility and back-to-school bash, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said. Those affected are urged to contact their local health department to determine whether they need medication to prevent infection.

The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered their pen in late July, according to the state health department, which was first notified of the rabies exposure on Thursday.