An Idaho resident was scratched by a rabid skunk, triggering an exceptionally rare and fatal chain of events that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including the initial bite victim and an organ transplant recipient, as announced by federal authorities.

This incident marks the fourth case of rabies transmission via organ transplant in the U.S. since 1978, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reported, “Our investigation indicates a possible three-step infection chain where a rabid silver bat infected the skunk, which subsequently infected the donor, and then the kidney recipient.”

The agency noted that the Michigan man “underwent a left kidney transplant from an Idaho donor at an Ohio hospital” in December and passed away approximately six weeks later.

The CDC confirmed that “viral RNA was found in the saliva, nuchal skin, and brain tissue samples” of those affected by rabies.

New interviews with the families of Idaho organ donors revealed “information not captured in the DRAI questionnaire,” referring to the “Donor Risk Assessment Interviews.”

Investigators determined that, in late October 2024, a skunk “approached and scratched a donor who was holding a kitten in a rural outbuilding” in Idaho.

The donor died roughly six weeks later, exhibiting symptoms such as “confusion, difficulty swallowing and walking,” along with “hallucinations,” as reported by the CDC.

Officials indicated that the Idaho man’s corneas were extracted and “three patients, one each from California, Idaho, and New Mexico,” received transplants in December and January.

As investigations proceed, three “corneal recipients underwent preventive graft removal,” and “plans for a fourth corneal graft for a patient in Missouri have been halted,” according to the CDC.

All three patients are currently reported to be asymptomatic.