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A Rare and Unusual Case of Rabies Transmission
USATuesday, December 9, 2025
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The Incident
- Initial Event: A man in Idaho was scratched by a skunk while protecting a kitten.
- Symptoms: The scratch seemed minor, but he later showed signs of confusion, trouble walking, and hallucinations.
- Outcome: He was found unconscious and sadly, never woke up again.
The Discovery
- Cause of Death: Doctors discovered he had rabies, a very rare disease in humans in the US.
- Organ Transplant: His kidney was transplanted to someone in Michigan, who also got sick and died from rabies.
Investigation by the CDC
- Source of Rabies: The skunk might have been bitten by a bat, a common carrier of rabies.
- Transmission: The rabies virus was passed to the recipient through the transplanted kidney.
- Rarity: This is only the fourth such case in the US since 1978.
Lessons Learned
- Low Risk: The CDC states the risk of getting rabies or any other infection from a transplant is very low.
- Importance of Checks: This case highlights the need for thorough checks and open communication between doctors and families.
- Other Recipients: Three other people received cornea grafts from the same donor but were given medicine to prevent infection and did not get sick.
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