Story perspectives

Rabies Transmitted Through Kidney Transplant Claims Michigan Man

12/12/2025

Summary

Story summary

A Michigan man died of rabies after a kidney transplant.
The donor contracted rabies from a skunk scratch while rescuing a kitten.
The transplant occurred in December 2024 with symptoms appearing five weeks later.
Postmortem tests confirmed rabies, despite the family claiming no animal exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a bat-to-skunk-to-donor chain and reported that three corneal graft recipients remained asymptomatic after preventive treatment.

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Story summary

A Michigan man died of rabies after a kidney transplant.
The donor contracted rabies from a skunk scratch while rescuing a kitten.
The transplant occurred in December 2024 with symptoms appearing five weeks later.
Postmortem tests confirmed rabies, despite the family claiming no animal exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a bat-to-skunk-to-donor chain and reported that three corneal graft recipients remained asymptomatic after preventive treatment.