United States: The Michigan health authorities confirmed that the patient died this year because an organ transplant introduced rabies into his body.
The Ohio hospital performed the organ transplant operation in December, whereas the patient passed away in January, according to Lynn Sutfin from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Rabies Transmission
Research teams, including the Ohio Department of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), established that the donated organ caused the patient to contract rabies.
The exact organ that received transplantation remained unmentioned by Sutfin. Rabies functions as a fatal viral disease that spreads from infected animals either through saliva or their blood contact with humans.
A Michigan resident has died of rabies after receiving an organ transplant in Ohio, marking the first U.S. case since 2013.
— Informed NJ Nurses (@InformedNJNurse) March 27, 2025
Since 1950, there have only been a handful of confirmed cases worldwide. In the U.S., this is just the fourth documented instance of rabies being… pic.twitter.com/tmxHvOIPSg
The rabies disease evolves from flu-like signs and symptoms to psychiatric disturbances and problems swallowing when it progresses.
Fatal Outcome Despite Medical Precautions
The illness proves lethal at the moment most symptoms manifest. The CDC reports that in a year, fewer than ten Americans have succumbed to rabies infections.
Organ transplant patients rarely experience rabies infections, yet such cases do occur, as demonstrated by the patient who received a transplanted kidney and later died from the virus in 2013.
Health Authorities Assess Exposure Risks
The United States organ donor screening method includes an assessment of donor mental state changes and specific tests for viruses and infections.
Sutfin confirmed that the general population faces no danger from this situation.
Furthermore, “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,” Sutfin added while describing the post-exposure care that was provided where necessary.