Patient dies from rabies after organ transplant from infected donor

A Michigan nonmigratory has died of rabies aft receiving an organ transplant.

The patient, who received the transplant astatine an Ohio infirmary successful December 2024, died of the fatal microorganism successful January 2025, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"The idiosyncratic was a caller organ transplant recipient, and a nationalist wellness probe determined they contracted rabies done the transplanted organ," the spokesperson said. 

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The rabies confirmation was made by the CDC Rabies Laboratory.

A Michigan nonmigratory has died of rabies aft receiving an organ transplant. (iStock)

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has worked intimately with the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) connected the investigation, the aforesaid root stated. 

"Health officials worked unneurotic to guarantee that people, including healthcare providers, who were successful interaction with the Michigan idiosyncratic were assessed for imaginable vulnerability to rabies," the MDHHS stated. "Post-exposure preventive care, if appropriate, has been provided." 

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"There is nary menace to the wide public."

The organ donor was not a Michigan oregon Ohio resident, according to wellness officials. No further accusation has been provided astir the nonmigratory oregon the donor.

Rabies is simply a deadly viral illness that is chiefly transmitted to radical and pets done bites oregon scratches from an infected animal, according to the CDC. (iStock)

While organs are routinely screened for infectious diseases, cancers, prime and functionality anterior to transplant, rabies investigating is not typically performed.

"There is presently nary state oregon instauration that requires the screening of rabies among donors earlier organ transplantation surgery," according to accusation published by the National Institutes of Health.

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In 2013, the CDC confirmed the decease of 4 radical successful Maryland who contracted rabies aft receiving organs from the aforesaid donor.

In 2004, the bureau reported the rabies deaths of 3 radical who received organs from a communal infected donor.

What to cognize astir rabies

Rabies is simply a deadly viral illness that is chiefly transmitted to radical and pets done bites oregon scratches from an infected animal, according to the CDC.

The microorganism affects the cardinal tense system, yet causing encephalon dysfunction. The infected idiosyncratic whitethorn acquisition anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, per the wellness agency.

Rabies is astir ever fatal if the infected idiosyncratic does not person aesculapian attraction earlier symptoms begin.  (iStock)

Rabies is astir ever fatal if the infected idiosyncratic does not person aesculapian attraction earlier symptoms begin. 

Around 60,000 radical successful the U.S. person aesculapian attraction aft being exposed to rabies, the CDC stated. Fewer than 10 deaths are reported successful the state each year. 

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Most Americans who declaration rabies are infected by bats. Other animals that commonly transportation rabies see raccoons, skunks and foxes.