A resident of Michigan tragically died from rabies after receiving an organ transplant from a deceased donor in Ohio, according to health officials.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the cause of death following a public health investigation.

UTMC confirmed that the patient was treated at their facility and emphasized that all safety protocols were adhered to during the transplant process.

Officials from UTMC are cooperating with health authorities to ensure that donor screening protocols are reinforced.

Life Connection of Ohio explained that a comprehensive donor risk assessment is performed prior to any organ donation to ensure safety.

The U.S. organ donor screening process includes inquiries about mental state changes and testing for various infections and viruses.

Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal once symptoms appear, typically transmitted through bites from infected animals.

Symptoms of rabies may initially resemble flu-like conditions but can progress to severe neurological symptoms as the virus affects the brain.

Preventive post-exposure care has been provided where necessary, but officials state there is no public threat.

To protect against rabies, it is crucial to keep vaccinations up-to-date for pets, including cats, ferrets, and dogs.

Michigan law mandates rabies vaccinations for ferrets and dogs, highlighting the importance of pet vaccination.

Despite the rarity of rabies transmission through organ donation, over 48,000 organ transplants were performed in 2024, underscoring the overall success of transplant procedures.