Rabies Transmitted Through Organ Transplant Kills Michigan Man

A Michigan resident died after contracting rabies through an organ transplant, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The man received a kidney from an Idaho donor who was later found to be infected with the virus.

The CDC report, released this month, stated the Michigan man died in February, 51 days after receiving the kidney transplant at an Ohio hospital. The donor, an Idaho man, had been scratched by a skunk roughly six weeks before his death.

This is the fourth known case of rabies transmission via organ transplant in the United States since 1978.

**How the Infection Unfolded**

Approximately five weeks after the transplant, the recipient began experiencing a range of symptoms, including tremors, weakness in his lower extremities, confusion, and urinary incontinence. Within a week, his condition worsened, leading to hospitalization with fever, hydrophobia (fear of water), and difficulty swallowing. He required mechanical ventilation and died seven days after being admitted.

Because his symptoms suggested rabies, doctors contacted the Ohio Department of Health, where the transplant took place. The Donor Risk Assessment Interview questionnaire indicated the donor had been scratched by a skunk. A follow-up interview with the donor's family confirmed he was scratched on the shin by a skunk on his rural property. He was later found unresponsive at his home due to a presumed cardiac arrest. Rabies was not initially suspected.

**Limited Exposure**

Only the infected donor's kidney was transplanted into the Michigan man. His heart and lungs were used for training purposes at a Maryland medical research facility. Three patients received cornea tissue grafts from the donor; these grafts were removed, and the recipients received precautionary rabies treatment.

**Public Health Response**

Following the incident, health officials assessed the risk to community members and healthcare workers who might have been exposed to the skunk, patients, or infected organs. Precautionary treatment was recommended for approximately 22 of the more than 280 contacts identified.

**Preventing Rabies**

The CDC is reviewing reported animal exposures among organ donors and working with partners to develop interventions to further minimize the risk of transplant-associated rabies. Standard procedures involve families of potential donors providing information on infectious disease risk factors, including animal exposures. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. rabies testing is not typically performed on donors due to its rarity and the complexities of diagnostic testing, the CDC noted.

To reduce the risk of rabies infection, health officials advise:

• Vaccinating pets
• Avoiding contact with wildlife and stray animals
• Seeking immediate medical care after any animal bite, before symptoms appear

Animals known to carry rabies include bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. As of December 10, 2025, Michigan has identified rabies in 41 bats and zero skunks.