Michigan residents Organ transplantation.
Patients who received a transplant at Ohio Hospital in December 2024 were A deadly virus In January 2025, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed with Fox News Digital.
“The person was a recent recipient of organ transplants and public health research has determined them. Contracted rabies Through the transplanted organs,” the spokesman said.
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Rabies confirmation was performed by the CDC Rabies Laboratory.
The Michigan resident died of rabies after receiving an organ transplant. (istock)
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on investigations, the same source said.
“Health officials worked together to ensure people, including people. Healthcare provideranyone in contact with Michigan was rated as potential exposure to rabies, MDHH said.
Potentially deadly zoonotic viruses we see
“There is no threat to the public.”
Health officials say the organ donor was not a resident of Michigan or Ohio. No additional information is provided regarding residents or donors.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that is transmitted to people and pets, primarily through bites and wounds from infected animals, according to the CDC. (istock)
Organs are routinely screened for infections, cancer, quality and functionality prior to transplantation, but rabies testing is not usually done.
“Currently, no countries or agencies require rabies screening among donors before Organ transplant surgery“According to information released by the National Institutes of Health.
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In 2013, the CDC confirmed the deaths of four Maryland people who contracted rabies after receiving organs from the same donor.
In 2004, the agency reported rabies deaths in three people who received organs from a common infected donor.
Things you need to know about rabies
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that is transmitted to people and pets, primarily through bites and wounds from infected animals, according to the CDC.
Viruses affect Central nervous systemultimately causing brain dysfunction. Infected people may experience anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucination, according to health agencies.

Rabies is almost always fatal if an infected person does not see a doctor before symptoms begin. (istock)
Rabies is almost always fatal if an infected person does not see a doctor before symptoms begin.
Approximately 60,000 people in the United States are receiving medical care after being exposed to rabies, the CDC says. Less than 10 deaths are reported every year in the country.
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Most Americans who contract with rabies are infected with bats. Other animals that generally carry rabies include raccoons, skunks and foxes.