A Michigan man is among the latest cases raising concerns about the transmission of rabies, having tragically died in early 2025 after receiving a kidney transplant from a donor unknowingly infected with the virus [[1]]. Health officials confirmed the donor had been scratched by a skunk prior to death, leading to this exceedingly rare instance of rabies transmission through organ donation. This case, the fourth of its kind as 1978, underscores the complexities of organ donor screening and the potential for unforeseen infectious disease risks [[2]], [[3]].
A Michigan man who received a kidney transplant in December 2024 died approximately one month later after contracting rabies through the transplanted organ, health officials have confirmed. The rare and tragic case highlights the potential, though extremely low, risk of transmitting rabies through organ donation and transplantation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated the case and traced the source of the infection to the organ donor, who had been unknowingly infected with the virus. According to the CDC report, the donor had been scratched by a rabid skunk weeks before their death.
A Skunk Scratch
The recipient of the kidney transplant initially showed positive signs following the surgery, but began experiencing progressive neurological symptoms several weeks later. These included agitation, pain, and autonomic dysfunction. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms manifest, and the patient ultimately succumbed to the disease. This case was first reported in January by Midi Libre.
Potential organ donors in the United States undergo screening for a variety of viruses, bacteria, and other infections. However, rabies testing is not routinely included in these screenings, largely due to the time required for testing and the rarity of human rabies cases. This case underscores the challenges of detecting rare infections in donors.
Three Other Transplant Recipients
In addition to the kidney, organs and tissues were recovered from the donor, including two corneas. Three individuals who received corneal transplants from the same donor were promptly given post-exposure treatment and did not develop rabies, the CDC stated. Health authorities also conducted a broad investigation to identify and proactively treat anyone potentially exposed.
This marks only the fourth documented case of rabies transmission through organ transplantation in the United States since 1978. The CDC’s investigation and response highlight the importance of ongoing vigilance and preparedness for rare but serious infectious disease threats.
