Organ donor unwittingly had rabies — and now one kidney recipient is dead and others are at risk
A kidney recipient in Michigan has died after receiving an organ from a donor who was unknowingly infected with rabies. The donor, who had been scratched by a skunk, did not show symptoms before his death, leading to the organ being donated. Health officials are now investigating the case and considering new screening measures for organ donors to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- ▪Barney Kurowicki received a kidney transplant from James Martin, who was infected with rabies.
- ▪Kurowicki experienced severe symptoms shortly after the transplant and died within days.
- ▪The CDC is investigating the case and has proposed new screening questions for organ donors.
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US News Organ donor unwittingly had rabies — and now one kidney recipient is dead and others are at risk By Natalie O'Neill Published May 29, 2026, 12:09 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google A Michigan grandpa was killed by the kidney donation he thought would save his life — because the organ donor was infected with rabies from a skunk in a medical nightmare that could affect other organ recipients, according to health officials. Barney Kurowicki, of Tecumseh, Michigan, had been on dialysis for two years when he received a kidney transplant from James Martin, a 59-year-old Idaho father of three, in December 2024, Scripps News reported this week.
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