Michigan Man Dies of Rabies After Receiving Infected Kidney Transplant

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Federal health officials release details on a “medical mystery” that highlights a critical blind spot in organ donor screening protocols.

December 10, 2025

ATLANTA — A Michigan man has died from rabies after receiving an infected kidney transplant, marking only the fourth confirmed time in U.S. history that the deadly virus has been transmitted through solid organ donation.

The case, detailed in a comprehensive Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), describes a tragic chain of events beginning with a seemingly minor wildlife encounter in Idaho and ending with a fatal diagnosis in an Ohio hospital room.

The recipient, whose name has not been released, died in January 2025, just weeks after the life-saving surgery that was supposed to restore his health.

A “Medical Mystery” Unfolds

The ordeal began in December 2024, when the recipient underwent a routine kidney transplant at an undisclosed hospital in Ohio. The surgery initially appeared successful. However, approximately five weeks later, the patient began exhibiting alarming neurological symptoms, including tremors, confusion, and difficulty walking.

His condition deteriorated rapidly. Within days of being hospitalized, he developed hydrophobia (a fear of water) and difficulty swallowing—classic, telltale signs of rabies. Despite aggressive supportive care, the man died seven days after admission.

Because the recipient had no history of animal bites or exposure to wildlife, doctors were initially baffled. The breakthrough came when CDC investigators turned their attention to the organ donor.

The Donor’s Story: A Missed Red Flag

The donor, an Idaho man who died in December 2024, had succumbed to what doctors at the time believed was a sudden cardiac event following a bout of unexplained confusion and hallucinations. Because his death was not attributed to an infectious disease, his organs were cleared for donation.

Post-mortem investigations revealed a critical piece of missing history. In late October 2024, the donor had been scratched by a skunk while trying to protect a kitten on his property.

“The donor sustained a shin scratch that bled, but he did not think he had been bitten,” the CDC report states. The skunk’s aggression was attributed to predatory behavior rather than disease. Consequently, the donor did not seek medical attention or receive the rabies vaccine, which is nearly 100% effective when administered promptly after exposure.

CDC laboratory testing later confirmed that the donor’s kidney tissue contained rabies virus RNA consistent with a variant found in silver-haired bats. The virus had likely infected the skunk, which then passed it to the donor.

Racing Against Time

Once the link was established, public health officials launched a massive contact tracing operation to protect others who might have been exposed to the donor’s tissues.

Cornea Recipients: The donor’s corneas had been transplanted into three other patients. In a frantic bid to save their lives, doctors explanted (surgically removed) the grafts. One of the removed corneas later tested positive for the rabies virus. All three patients received Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and remain alive and symptom-free.
Other Organs: The donor’s heart and lungs were fortunately sent to a research facility in Maryland and were not transplanted into humans.
Healthcare Workers: In total, public health officials assessed 357 people for potential exposure. Forty-six individuals, including healthcare workers and family members, were advised to undergo the PEP vaccine regimen.

Implications for Transplant Safety

This tragedy has reignited discussions about the rigorousness of donor screening. Currently, organ donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne pathogens, but rabies testing is not routine due to the virus’s extreme rarity in humans and the time-sensitive nature of organ viability.

“This is an exceptionally rare event,” said Dr. Lara Danziger-Isakov, a board member of the American Society of Transplantation, in an interview regarding similar rare transmission events. “Overall, the risk is exceptionally small compared to the life-saving benefit of transplantation.”

However, the CDC report highlights a vulnerability: the donor’s symptoms of encephalitis (brain inflammation) prior to death should have triggered a deeper investigation into animal contact.

“If a potential donor, particularly one with acute encephalopathy, had a bite or scratch from a rabies-susceptible animal during the preceding year, transplant teams should consider consulting public health officials,” the CDC advised in its report.

A Persistent Public Health Threat

While human rabies deaths in the U.S. are incredibly rare—typically fewer than 10 per year—the virus remains universally fatal once symptoms appear. This case underscores that “insignificant” animal encounters, such as scratches or bites from bats, skunks, or raccoons, must be taken seriously.

“The virus is unforgiving,” says Dr. Sarah Bennett, an infectious disease specialist not involved in the case. “This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that any contact with wild mammals, especially if they are acting aggressively or strangely, requires immediate medical evaluation. You cannot wait for symptoms.”

Key Statistics

4: The number of times rabies has been transmitted via solid organ transplant in the U.S. since 1978.
99.9%: The fatality rate of rabies once clinical symptoms manifest.
46: The number of people who received emergency prophylactic treatment linked to this single donor case.

The CDC is now reviewing donor exposure reporting protocols to potentially prevent future transmissions, hoping to ensure that the gift of life does not carry a hidden sentence of death.

Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.