Cedar Rapids’ Old MacDonald’s Farm closed this week after goat sickened by ‘sore mouth’ virus

CEDAR RAPIDS — Old MacDonald’s Farm at Bever Park in Cedar Rapids will be closed Thursday and Friday after a goat at the farm was diagnosed with orf, a viral infection known as “sore mouth.”

The closure will allow staff to clean and disinfect all surfaces and enclosures at the farm, according to a news release from the city.

The farm is scheduled to reopen Saturday, but “many animal pens will be closed to the public through the weekend,” the release states. Pens at the farm are usually open to the public, and visitors are invited to pet the animals.

Sore mouth disease occurs worldwide, anywhere sheep, goats and similar animals live, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus can be transmitted to humans who have contact with animals infected with the orf virus. People can get painful sores called lesions through contact with infected animals. Activities like feeding, petting or being bitten by an infected animal can put humans at risk.

Anyone who is concerned about contact they had with animals — particularly goats — at Old MacDonald’s Farm in recent days is encouraged to consult a health care provider.

The city, which is working with state and federal animal health officials, will remove the goats from Old MacDonald’s Farm and they will receive treatment until they are able to return to the farm. The sheep will remain on site under quarantine for at least a week to ensure they are healthy before rejoining the exhibit, the release states.

The city release states that no other animals are showing signs of the virus. The rest of Bever Park will remain open to the public.