In a rare but tragic case, a Michigan resident has died from rabies. This happened after a successful kidney transplant performed at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) in Toledo, Ohio in December 2024. The organ donor contracted the rabies virus after contact with a wild animal in Idaho only five weeks prior to their death. In doing so, they spread the virus via the transplant. With this exposure, Michigan has had its first human case of rabies since 2009.
Read more about the landmark transplant performed on their patient. Sadly, the patient subsequently became symptomatic and ultimately died of his disease in January 2025. The diagnosis of rabies was confirmed by the Rabies Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rabies has been on the minds of health officials and healthcare providers ever since this highly unusual occurrence raised alarm about rabies exposure through organ transplants.
Investigation and Health Response
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Tuesday, Nov. 29, confirmed a rare case of rabies. They immediately evaluated every healthcare worker and person who could have been in contact with the transplant patient. Those determined to have possible exposure were provided with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the likelihood of developing rabies. According to CDC, about 800,000 Americans receive rabies preventive treatment annually. As this sobering statistic makes clear, every second counts, and swift action is critical in these cases.
They completed an abdominal organ donation through a single robotic-assisted kidney transplant. What’s more, corneal grafts from the same donor were implanted into three different patients in three different states. The CDC collaborated with Missouri health officials to cut one of these corneal grafts off at the pass. They moved in time to ensure it was never implanted into a Missouri resident, underscoring the gravity of what happened.
“In addition to the organ donor’s kidney, doctors implanted corneal grafts from the donor’s eyes into three different patients in three states,” – CDC statement.
Understanding Rabies Transmission
Rabies is typically transmitted through bites or scratches from rabid animals. In the U.S., the most likely carriers are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. While transmission from human to human has been uncommon, this type of spread has been recorded in a small number of cases linked to organ transplants.
Dr. Daniel Kaul, clinical professor at the University of Michigan’s Infectious Disease Clinic, made sure to emphasize how unusual this kind of transmission is. He stressed that these cases are incredibly rare. He stated, “The risk of not getting a transplant if you have organ failure is so much higher than this kind of incredibly rare but tragic situation.” His statements are meant, presumably, to calm the fears of future organ transplant recipients that even in the wake of this sad event, procedures remain safe.
According to the CDC, fewer than 20 people have survived rabies after being symptomatic – ever. It underscores what a dangerous viral infection this is. According to the CDC, in the U.S. there are, on average, about 10 human rabies deaths per year.
Addressing Public Concerns
This case is terribly sad, too. Healthcare institutions that perform these transplants, like UTMC, stress that such accidents are incredibly rare and urge patients to seek potentially life-saving organ transplants. Through almost constant advocacy and outreach efforts, the medical establishment works to normalize the act of donating organs. They emphasize the importance of tracking and testing prospective donors for contagious diseases.
The University of Toledo Medical Center stated, “Person-to-person transmission of rabies is extremely rare, though it has been documented in a very small number of cases involving organ transplantation.” In doing so, it recognizes both a deep-rooted commitment to patient safety and the complicated realities of organ donation.
