Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Rare Rabies Transmission via Organ Donation Claims Two Lives

12/9/2025

49 12 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The CDC reports a rare rabies case transmitted via organ donation causing two deaths from the same virus strain.
An Idaho man contracted rabies from a skunk scratch in October 2024, dying.
His kidney was transplanted to a Michigan patient, who died five weeks later.
Since 1978, four transmissions via organ donation have been reported, and three corneal graft recipients from the donor are under preventive treatment.

1 of 1

Story summary

The CDC reports a rare rabies case transmitted via organ donation causing two deaths from the same virus strain.
An Idaho man contracted rabies from a skunk scratch in October 2024, dying.
His kidney was transplanted to a Michigan patient, who died five weeks later.
Since 1978, four transmissions via organ donation have been reported, and three corneal graft recipients from the donor are under preventive treatment.