LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — A Michigan resident died of rabies in January after they received a transplanted organ at an Ohio hospital, officials confirmed.

What You Need To Know

  • A Michigan resident died from rabies after receiving an organ transplant in Ohio earlier this year, officials have confirmed

  • They contracted rabies via the transplanted organ

  • The organ was transplanted in December 2024

  • Officials say there is no danger to the public

The individual had received care in Lucas County, which is where they died, according to a statement from the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.

“A multi-state public health investigation was conducted to determine the risk of exposure to the recipient and found no risk to the general public,” the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department release reads.

Lynn Sutfin, public information officer with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the investigation concluded the rabies was contracted via the transplanted organ.

He also confirmed that the transplant occurred at an Ohio hospital in December last year.

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services worked closely with the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the investigation,” he said via email. “The CDC Rabies Laboratory made the rabies confirmation. The organ donor was not a Michigan or Ohio resident. No additional information is being provided about the resident or the donor.”

He reiterated that there is no threat to the public and noted that those in contact with the person who died were “assessed for possible exposure to rabies” and given preventative care if needed.

“Please note, because the recipient was a Michigan Resident, this will not reflect as an Ohio human rabies case,” the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department release reads. “No Lucas County residents have contracted or died of rabies.”

According to the CDC, rabies deaths are rare in the U.S., accounting for fewer than 10 deaths per year.