2 weeks Ago By Keith O'Donnell
An individual in Michigan has succumbed to rabies, a fatal event linked to an organ they received from an out-of-state transplant. This case, confirmed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, denotes the first human rabies fatality in Michigan since 2009, and a rare instance of person-to-person transmission of the virus through organ transplantation.The patient received the organ transplant in December at the University of Toledo Medical Center, and the death occurred in January.
The organ donor's identity has not been disclosed, and health officials stated they were neither a resident of Michigan nor Ohio, according to CBS News Detroit. An investigation involving the CDC, and state health departments in Ohio and Michigan concluded that the recipient contracted rabies from the transplanted organ.In a statement obtained by WXYZ, MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin explained, "Health officials worked together to ensure that people, including health care providers, who were in contact with the Michigan individual were assessed for possible exposure to rabies.
Post exposure preventive care, if appropriate, has been provided." State and federal health authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing risk to the general public from this case.Despite being a Michigan resident, the case will be counted as a Michigan human rabies instance, not an Ohio one.
Dr. Carl Schmidt, a deputy coroner with the Lucas County Coroner's Office, confirmed to WTOL, that "the cause of death is rabies and complications." This echoes the statements released by several health departments that no additional individuals have been deemed at risk following the transplanted organ's transmission of rabies.
As for organ transplants, Life Connection of Ohio representative Kara Steele detailed to WTOL the rigorous process involved: "A donor risk assessment interview is conducted before any organ donation." She also mentioned "a potential donor’s comprehensive medical and social history on top of a physical assessment and lab work in order to ensure the safety of organs for transplantation." The University of Toledo Medical Center, where the transplant occurred, stated that they followed all best practices and protocols but, out of respect for privacy, would not share further details on the matter.
Rabies remains a significant health concern, though human fatalities are rare in the United States, with fewer than 10 reported deaths per year, according to the CDC. The disease, typically spread through the bites or scratches of infected animals, is fatal once symptoms appear but preventable if medical care is sought immediately after potential exposure..
