Kidney recipient dies after transplant from organ donor who had rabies

Monday, December 8, 2025 -A patient who received a kidney transplant has died after the organ came from a donor later found to have had rabies. Health officials are investigating the case to determine how the infection was transmitted and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Rabies is extremely rare in organ donation but is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Authorities are now reviewing protocols for screening organ donors to minimize such risks.

Medical experts emphasize that organ transplants save thousands of lives each year, but this incident underscores the need for rigorous testing and monitoring of donor health before transplantation.