Michigan Man Dies from Rabies After Receiving Kidney Transplant from Idaho Donor Attacked by Skunk, CDC Confirms
MICHIGAN — A Michigan man has died from rabies after receiving a kidney transplant from an Idaho donor who had unknowingly been infected with the virus following a skunk attack, according to a recent CDC report. The rare and tragic case has prompted renewed calls for enhanced organ screening protocols in cases involving animal exposure.
Skunk Scratch Leads to Fatal Rabies Infection
Investigators said the incident began when the Idaho donor — a man living in a rural area — was scratched on the shin by a skunk while holding a kitten on his property. Believing the injury was minor, he did not seek medical attention, assuming the skunk’s behavior was simply defensive.
Five weeks later, he began experiencing classic rabies symptoms including confusion, hallucinations, and difficulty swallowing. He suffered cardiac arrest and was declared brain-dead in mid-December after being hospitalized. Unaware of the rabies infection, doctors proceeded with organ donations, using his kidneys and corneas for transplantation.
Rabies Transmission Confirmed in Transplant Recipient
The recipient, a Michigan man, received one of the donor’s kidneys shortly after the donor’s death. About five weeks later, he began showing alarming neurological symptoms — including tremors, weakness, confusion, and incontinence — that progressively worsened.
Seven days after his symptoms appeared, the man was hospitalized, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. He died one week later.
Subsequent testing of the kidney tissue confirmed rabies virus presence, verifying that the infection had been transmitted through the organ transplant.
“This was a rare but tragic case of transplant-associated rabies,” CDC investigators wrote. “It underscores the importance of considering rabies in any donor with unexplained neurological symptoms, particularly if there’s a history of animal contact.”
CDC and Hospitals Reviewing Organ Screening Procedures
Rabies transmission through organ donation is extremely uncommon, with only a handful of cases reported in the United States over the past several decades. Because the donor’s rabies infection was not detected before organ recovery, hospitals and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a review of testing and notification procedures for organ recipients.
Doctors involved in the case said there were no early signs suggesting rabies at the time of the donor’s hospitalization, making it difficult to detect before the transplant occurred. “The donor appeared healthy prior to the acute neurological symptoms,” one official noted.
Public Health Experts Urge Caution in Animal-Related Injuries
Health officials are urging the public to seek medical treatment immediately after any potential exposure to wildlife, even if it seems minor. Rabies infections are nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but can be prevented with prompt post-exposure vaccination.
“Rabies can result from even a scratch or saliva contact from an infected animal,” said CDC medical officer Dr. Emily Pier. “If you’ve had contact with a wild animal — especially skunks, bats, or raccoons — seek medical care right away.”
A Cautionary Tale for Organ Donation and Rural Safety
The case serves as a sobering reminder of how rabies can travel undetected and how vital early treatment is in both exposure and donor screening cases. Experts say the infection’s incubation period can vary widely, sometimes delaying symptoms for weeks.
As officials continue their review, the CDC emphasized that organ donation remains overwhelmingly safe but that vigilance in donor evaluation remains critical — particularly for cases involving unexplained neurological decline or animal exposure.
For more updates on national health developments and CDC advisories, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
