Patient killed by rabies from organ transplant, CDC says

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/15/17325083-patient-killed-by-rabies-from-organ-transplant-cdc-says?lite

by Maggie Fox
Mar. 15, 2013

The first person to die from rabies in 40 years in Maryland was infected by a transplanted organ, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.

The donor died in Florida, and the heart, kidneys and liver from the patient were transplanted into other people, the CDC said.

At the time of the donor’s death, rabies was not suspected as the cause and testing for rabies was not performed. Rabies was only recently confirmed as the cause of death after the current investigation began in Maryland.

"Shortly before becoming ill, the donor had moved to Florida, but was a previous resident of North Carolina where it is believed the exposure may have occurred. How the donor may have gotten rabies is currently under investigation," the CDC said in a statement.

-----

Potential organ donors in the United States are screened and tested to identify if the donor might present an infectious risk. Lab testing for rabies is not routinely performed, because results could not be determined in the short time period organs are viable for the recipient. Transmission of rabies through organ transplant is extremely rare, according to the CDC.

People can become infected with rabies without knowing it. it is transmitted in saliva -- which is why animal bites are dangerous -- and blood. But vaccination after a bite can prevent symptoms. Once a patient develops symptoms from rabies, it is almost always fatal.

-----