Yes, people have died from rabies transmitted through organ transplants, though it is extremely rare. As of late 2025, at least four donors since 1978 have passed rabies to 13 recipients. A recent case occurred in late 2024–2025, when a Michigan man died after receiving a kidney from a donor who unknowingly contracted rabies from a skunk.

Has anyone died from rabies after organ transplant?

LANSING, Mich. (WILX/Gray News) — A Michigan man died of rabies months after receiving a transplanted kidney from someone who unknowingly had contracted the disease from a skunk, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is the most common cause of death in transplant patients?

In the US, the three leading causes of death after transplantation are cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and infections. Cosio et al. reported that while cardiovascular mortality is higher in diabetics post-transplantation, cancer is the most common cause of death in non-diabetics (Figure 1A).

How long until rabies kills a human?

Once rabies symptoms appear, death typically occurs within 7 to 10 days, usually from respiratory or cardiac failure, as the disease causes fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis); survival after symptoms start is almost unheard of, making immediate treatment after animal exposure critical during the incubation period (days to months) before the virus reaches the brain.

What is the deadliest virus on Earth?

Using the “case fatality rate” metric to determine what virus is the deadliest, rabies would likely come out on top. That's because, if an infection becomes symptomatic, rabies is fatal to humans in more than 99 percent of cases. Globally, approximately 59,000 people die from rabies every year.

CDC Blames Kidney Transplant for Rabies Death

What's the riskiest transplant?

What is the most dangerous organ transplant? Intestinal and bone marrow transplants are considered among the most dangerous due to severe immune rejection.

What transplant has the highest survival rate?

Adult kidney transplantation is perhaps the greatest success among all the procedures; more than 270,000 initial transplantations have been performed since 1970.

When was the last case of rabies in the US?

In 2022, there was no human death due to rabies. In November 2024, a California art teacher died from rabies, about a month after being bitten by a bat she found in her classroom.

Why is the rabies vaccine not recommended?

Scientists don't know exactly why rabies vaccines don't provide long-term protection, but they do know that its shape-shifting proteins are a problem. Like a Swiss Army knife, the rabies glycoprotein has sequences that unfold and flip upward when needed.

What is the 3:2:1 rule in cats?

The "3-2-1 Rule" for cats is a guideline for monitoring injection sites for lumps after vaccinations, indicating potential Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas (FISS); a lump needs veterinary investigation if it's present for 3 months, is larger than 2 centimeters, or grows after 1 month, prompting a biopsy to rule out cancer. This helps differentiate normal inflammation from aggressive tumors, with biopsy recommended for concerning signs, especially since FISS are serious but rare.

What famous person died of rabies?

The only person that I know of who famously died of rabies was Edgar Allen Poe. His death is often thought of as mysterious. This could be due to rabies symptoms being somewhat spooky and surreal.

Which organ can never be transplanted?

The brain is the only organ in the human body that cannot be transplanted. The brain cannot be transplanted because the brain's nerve tissue does not heal after transplantation.

Why do people think Edgar Allan Poe died of rabies?

7, 1849. Dr. R. Michael Benitez reports in the September issue of the Maryland Medical Journal that Poe suffered classic symptoms of rabies: He first was delirious with tremors and hallucinations, then slipped into a coma.

Which transplant is never rejected?

Cornea transplant in humans is almost never rejected.

Which is the only organ that cannot be transplanted?

Organs that have been successfully transplanted include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and thymus. Some organs, like the brain, cannot be transplanted. Tissues include bones, tendons (both referred to as musculoskeletal grafts), cornea, skin, heart valves, nerves and veins.

What is the craziest transplant ever done?

2 patients. 6 organs. 27 hours.

Both 29, they became the first patients to receive back-to-back triple-organ transplants to replace failing hearts, livers and kidneys. The procedures took place from Dec. 19 to 21, 2018. A holiday miracle, some called it.

What virus is 100 fatal?

Rabies virus has a characteristic bullet-shaped virion structure. Rabies virus infection in mammals is nearly 100% fatal if left untreated.

What is the most terrifying disease?

Ebola & Hemorrhagic Viruses

Its rapid progression and high fatality make it one of the most feared viruses in modern history. Outbreaks in Africa since 1976 have killed thousands. The virus's short incubation period limits travel but makes containment urgent.

Which was worse, the plague or COVID?

COVID-19 already ranks among the world's deadliest epidemics, each of which can claim credit for epochal – not just generational – shifts. Granted, absolute figures tell you only so much: COVID-19 arrived on a far more populous planet than the one which was devastated by the Black Death.

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