Working around goats every day is one of the best parts of farm life, but it comes with a few health risks worth knowing about. Goats can carry diseases that pass to humans, and basic precautions go a long way toward keeping you safe.
Here’s what you need to watch for and how to protect yourself.
Can you catch diseases from goats?
Yes, several diseases can jump from goats to humans. These are called zoonotic diseases, and they spread through direct contact with infected animals, their bodily fluids, or contaminated environments.
The overall risk is low for healthy adults who practice basic hygiene. But pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system need to be more careful around goats.
Most goat owners go their entire lives without catching anything from their herd. The key is knowing the risks and taking simple steps to minimize them.
What are some common diseases that can be caught from goats?
Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii and spreads primarily through birthing fluids and placenta. Even breathing in dust from a contaminated barn can transmit it, and symptoms feel like a nasty flu.
Orf, also called sore mouth or contagious ecthyma, causes painful blisters on the hands and fingers after skin-to-skin contact with an infected goat. It heals on its own but takes a few weeks and it’s genuinely uncomfortable.
Cryptosporidiosis and E. Coli spread through fecal contact.
Handling baby goats with scours and then touching your face is the most common way this happens. Knowing how the goat’s four-chamber digestive system works helps you understand why kids with immature rumens are especially prone to these infections.
Rabies is rare in goats but possible through bites from infected animals.
What are the risks of catching diseases from goats?
For most healthy adults, the risk is genuinely low. Your immune system can handle casual contact with goats as long as you wash your hands afterward.
The risk increases significantly during kidding season. Birthing fluids carry the highest concentration of bacteria like Brucella and Chlamydia, making this the most dangerous time to skip protective gear.
People who drink unpasteurized goat milk also face higher exposure. Raw milk can carry Listeria, Salmonella, and E.
Coli, and you should never consume milk from a goat with mastitis, so immunocompromised individuals should stick to pasteurized products.
How do you prevent yourself from catching those diseases?
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after every interaction with your goats. This sounds basic, but it’s the single most effective thing you can do.
Wear disposable gloves during kidding and when handling any goat that’s visibly sick. Change your barn clothes and shoes before going inside your house, especially if you have young children at home.
Keep dedicated barn clothes that stay in the mudroom or garage. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while working with your goats, and make sure any cuts or scrapes on your hands are covered before handling animals, especially during routine tasks like trimming cloven hooves where you’re in close contact.
What are the treatments for the diseases?
Treatment depends on the specific disease. Q fever is treated with antibiotics like doxycycline, and most people recover fully within a few weeks.
Orf runs its course on its own since there’s no specific medication for it. Keep the blisters clean and dry, and avoid touching other people until the lesions heal.
Understanding proper medication like penicillin dosing for baby goats is just as important as protecting yourself.
Cryptosporidiosis is usually treated with fluids and rest, though severe cases may need hospitalization. If you develop flu-like symptoms, persistent diarrhea, or skin lesions after handling goats, see a doctor right away and mention your livestock exposure.
When is the best time to see a doctor if you think you caught a disease from a goat?
Don’t wait for symptoms to get bad. If you develop a fever, persistent diarrhea, or unusual skin blisters within a few weeks of handling goats, get to a doctor promptly.
Tell your doctor that you work with livestock. The fact that goats can carry parasites is why proper deworming protocols matter for both animal and human health.
Many zoonotic diseases mimic the flu, and doctors who don’t know about your animal exposure might not test for the right things.
Early diagnosis makes a huge difference in treatment outcomes. Learning to check your goat’s dental pad and teeth regularly gives you one more opportunity to notice signs of illness during routine handling.
Diseases like Q fever respond well to antibiotics when caught early but can cause serious complications if left untreated.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can catch diseases from goats, but the risk stays low when you practice good hygiene. Wash your hands, wear gloves during kidding, keep barn clothes separate from house clothes, and see a doctor if anything feels off.
Millions of people raise goats safely every day. A little common sense and basic precautions are all it takes to enjoy your herd without putting your health at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's possible to catch diseases from goats because they can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are harmful to humans. In fact, some of the diseases that goats can carry are deadly and can be easily spread to humans.
Q fever spreads through birthing fluids and causes flu-like symptoms. Orf causes painful blisters on the hands after skin contact with an infected goat. Cryptosporidiosis and E. coli spread through fecal contact, and rabies is rare but possible.
For most healthy adults, the risk is low with basic hygiene. The risk increases significantly during kidding season when birthing fluids carry the highest concentration of bacteria. People who drink unpasteurized goat milk also face higher exposure.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after every interaction with your goats. Wear disposable gloves during kidding and when handling sick goats, and change your barn clothes before going inside your house.
