Michigan man dies of rabies after receiving kidney from infected donor
2 days ago
- #public-health
- #organ-transplant
- #rabies
- A fatal case of rabies occurred in an organ recipient who received a kidney transplant in Ohio.
- The donor was infected with rabies after saving a kitten from a skunk, which had been infected by a bat.
- The organ recipient developed severe symptoms, including fever, tremors, and hydrophobia, and died 51 days post-transplant.
- Three other recipients received corneal tissue from the same donor; they underwent treatment and remained asymptomatic.
- This marks the fourth documented case of rabies transmission via organ transplant in the U.S. since 1978.
- Health officials recommend consulting public health experts if donors have recent animal bites/scratches or unexplained neurological symptoms.
- About 1.4 million Americans receive care for potential rabies exposure annually, with fewer than 10 deaths due to prevention efforts.