A tragic incident occurred when a Michigan resident passed away from rabies after undergoing an organ transplant. The person had received this transplant at a hospital in Ohio in December 2024 and succumbed to the virus in January 2025. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) informed Fox News Digital that “the person was a recent organ transplant recipient, and a public health investigation determined they contracted rabies through the transplanted organ.”
This case was confirmed by the CDC Rabies Laboratory. According to MDHHS, they collaborated closely with both the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC to investigate this matter. The health officials ensured that everyone who had contact with the Michigan patient, including healthcare workers, was evaluated for potential rabies exposure.
Fortunately, there is no threat to the general public, as stated by health officials. The organ donor involved in this case was not a resident of Michigan or Ohio. However, additional details regarding the donor or the recipient have not been disclosed.
Rabies is a serious viral disease, typically spread through bites or scratches from infected animals, as per the CDC. Organs are generally screened for infectious diseases and other conditions before transplant, but rabies is not usually included in these tests. The National Institutes of Health notes that there is no requirement for rabies screening of donors before organ transplants.
This isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred. Back in 2013, the CDC reported that four people in Maryland had died from rabies after receiving organs from the same donor. Similarly, in 2004, three individuals died from rabies due to organs from a single infected donor.
Rabies predominantly affects the central nervous system, leading to severe symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations. The CDC warns that without timely medical intervention before symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal.
In the United States, approximately 60,000 people receive medical treatment annually after potential rabies exposure. Yet, fewer than ten fatalities are reported each year. Most Americans who contract rabies are infected by bats, but other common carriers include raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
Melissa Rudy, a senior health editor and part of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital, can be contacted for story tips at [email protected]. For further health-related articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
