CDC Investigates Fatal Rabies Infection Post-Transplant 

United States: A Michigan resident suffered death after obtaining rabies through organ transplantation according to local health officials. The Associated Press suggests this unusual case resulted in CDC alongside MDHHS and Ohio Department of Health initiating an investigation. 

Rabies Infection Linked to Transplant 

The individual received transplant surgery in December at an Ohio hospital before their death occurred in January according to MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin. Health authorities established that rabies transmission occurred through the transplanted organ yet they did not identify which organ triggered this transmission. 

Patient dies from rabies after organ transplant from infected donor:
A Michigan resident has died of rabies after receiving an organ transplant.

The patient, who received the transplant at an Ohio hospital in December 2024, died of the fatal virus in J… https://t.co/rrCowWNdGF

— Elwin Sidney (@ElwinSidney) March 27, 2025

How Rabies Spreads and Its Dangers 

The viral disease known as rabies spreads to humans when their bodies interact with blood or saliva from infected animals. The disease starts with flu symptoms before intensifying to cause hallucinations along with swallowing problems. The disease becomes fatal when symptoms emerge because the condition cannot be cured at that point. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that only fewer than ten people die from rabies each year in the U.S. In 2013 medical authorities documented another situation where a person who received a transplanted kidney later died from rabies. The rarity of such incidents is because of rigorous donor screening procedures. 

Ensuring Safety in Organ Transplants 

In the U.S., organ donors undergo extensive disease testing and behavioral health evaluations to minimize risks. Despite these safeguards, rare infections like this can still occur. 

Health officials have worked to assess potential exposure among healthcare providers and others who had contact with the Michigan patient. Those at risk have received appropriate post-exposure care. 

Public Reassurance 

Numerous experts agree that this incident does not present any danger to the public. The occurrence of rabies transmission through organ donation remains extremely infrequent because screening initiatives and rapid medical interventions continue to reduce these probabilities, as reported by Associated Press.