Patient Gets Rabies From Organ Transplant

A Michigan resident contracted rabies through an organ transplant and died, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS) confirmed.

Why It Matters

Rabies is a fatal viral disease and is usually spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Contracting it through an organ transplant is an exceptionally rare way to get the disease.

What To Know

The patient received their transplant at an Ohio hospital in December 2024 and then died in January this year, said Lynn Sutfin, an MDHSS spokesperson.

The identity of neither the patient nor the organ donor has been revealed, but the MDHSS said the donor was not a Michigan or Ohio resident—the department declined Newsweek's request for more information.

"No additional information is being provided about the resident or the donor," the MDHSS said.

The department worked with the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC to investigate the death.

The CDC Rabies Laboratory concluded that the patient "contracted rabies through the transplanted organ."

Rabies is rare in humans in the U.S., with fewer than 10 deaths reported each year, according to the CDC.

"Still, rabies poses a serious public health threat, because of its high death rate in people," the CDC said. "It is also present in many wildlife species. Nearly three in four Americans live in a community where raccoons, skunks or foxes carry rabies."

What People Are Saying

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said: "There is no threat to the general public. Health officials worked together to ensure that people, including health care providers, who were in contact with the Michigan individual were assessed for possible exposure to rabies. Post-exposure preventive care, if appropriate, has been provided."

The CDC said: "Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start. Immediate medical attention following suspected rabies exposure is critical.

"People who are at increased risk for rabies exposures may want to consider pre-exposure vaccination for increased protection."

What Happens Next

Everyone who was in contact with the patient has been assessed to check if they had been exposed, and care was provided if necessary. There is no general threat to public health.

The CDC has made recommendations for the prevention of rabies, including rabies vaccines; staying away from wildlife; and washing bites or scratches immediately with soap and water.