Midwest
Michigan man dies of rabies after receiving kidney from infected donor who saved kitten from skunk: CDC
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A tragic series of events led to a fatal case of transplant-related rabies earlier this year.
Health officials announced Thursday that an organ recipient who underwent transplant surgery in Ohio died of rabies in February. Further investigation revealed that the donor had become infected with the fatal virus after saving a kitten from a skunk.
The unnamed patient, from Michigan, received the donor’s kidney in December 2024, and later developed severe symptoms that prompted hospitalization and “invasive” procedures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
He reportedly experienced fever, tremors, difficulty swallowing and fear of water and died 51 days after the transplant.
‘SILENT KILLER’ PARASITIC DISEASE SPREADING ACROSS MULTIPLE US STATES, EXPERTS WARN
An Idaho man reportedly died from rabies after getting scratched by a skunk. (iStock)
The CDC said the donor, whose donated tissue went to three other recipients, was infected with the silver-haired bat variant of rabies, suggesting the skunk had been infected by a bat.
Records revealed that the organ donor, from Idaho, was scratched on the shin while fending off a skunk that displayed “predatory aggression” six weeks before his death.
“In late October 2024, a skunk approached the donor as he held a kitten in an outbuilding on his rural property,” the CDC said. “During an encounter that rendered the skunk unconscious, the donor sustained a shin scratch that bled, but he did not think he had been bitten. According to the family, the donor attributed the skunk’s behavior to predatory aggression toward the kitten.”
FLESH-EATING PARASITE CASE DETECTED IN US TRAVELER RETURNING FROM CENTRAL AMERICA
A donor recipient reportedly died several weeks after a transplant operation in Ohio. (iStock)
In the following five weeks, the donor began experiencing hallucinations, trouble swallowing, difficulty walking and a stiff neck, the agency said.
Two days later, he was discovered unresponsive at home after a suspected heart attack, according to health officials. He was reportedly revived at a hospital but was declared brain-dead and removed from life support.
The CDC said his organs were donated after the family documented the skunk encounter in a donor risk assessment. However, health officials noted that the form did not screen for rabies, citing its “rarity in humans.”
“In the United States, potential donors’ family members often provide information about a donor’s infectious disease risk factors, including animal exposures,” the CDC said. “Rabies is excluded from routine donor pathogen testing because of its rarity in humans in the United States and the complexity of diagnostic testing. In this case, hospital staff members who treated the donor were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his pre-admission signs and symptoms to chronic comorbidities.”
Health officials added that three other patients received corneal tissue from the same infected donor. They all underwent graft removal, received rabies treatment and remained asymptomatic, the CDC reported.
Health officials also reached out to 370 people who could have been in contact with the donor, according to the agency. Forty-six of them were recommended to undergo rabies procedures.
ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT DIES OF RABIES AFTER SURGERY
A Michigan man was scratched by a skunk while saving a kitten on his rural property. (Peter Bischoff)
Health officials said the kidney recipient’s death marks the fourth documented case of rabies transmission through an organ transplant in the U.S. since 1978, emphasizing that the risk of such infections remains extremely low.
Transplant teams are now advised to consult public health officials if a potential donor has recent bites or scratches from rabies-susceptible animals, especially if the donor has had unexplained neurological symptoms.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
However, “no standard guidance currently exists for addressing reported donor animal exposures by transplant teams,” the CDC said.
About 1.4 million Americans receive care for possible rabies exposure annually, and fewer than 10 die from the disease due to effective prevention efforts, according to the agency.
Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for more information.
Read the full article from Here
Families in South Dakota work hard. We sacrifice a lot and ask very little from the people who govern us. We expect honesty, careful budgeting, and leadership that puts our interests above politics.
In his recent budget address, our governor painted an incomplete picture. He celebrated good results but did not explain what and who made those results possible. South Dakotans deserve more than selective storytelling. We deserve the truth.
Start time yet to be announced for regional finals match
Wisconsin’s Una Vajagic is ‘most underrated player in the whole NCAA’
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer went out of her way after the Badgers’ win to say that Una Vajagic is the ‘most underrated player in the NCAA.’
AUSTIN, Texas – Wisconsin volleyball will be spending two more days in Austin.
The Badgers ensured that with a four-set win over Stanford on Dec. 12 in the NCAA tournament regional semifinals. It was the eighth consecutive win in the regional semifinals for Kelly Sheffield’s group and its first-ever win over Stanford in program history.
Here’s what to know about Wisconsin’s next match:
Who will Wisconsin volleyball play next?
Wisconsin’s next match will be against top-seeded Texas in the NCAA tournament regional finals, with the winner advancing to the Final Four.
What time is Wisconsin volleyball’s next match?
The Wisconsin-Texas match will be on Sunday, Dec. 14. A time has not yet been announced, but it will either be at 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. CT.
How to watch Wisconsin-Texas NCAA tournament regional finals match?
NCAA volleyball tournament bracket for regional finals
- Creighton vs. Kentucky on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. in Lexington, Kentucky
- Purdue vs. Pittsburgh on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh
- Wisconsin vs. Texas on Dec. 14 in Austin
- Winner of Nebraska/Kansas vs. winner of Louisville/Texas A&M on Dec. 14 in Lincoln, Nebraska
Midwest
Arkansas woman and children found dead at mansion home day after final divorce hearing with estranged husband
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A woman and two of her children were found shot dead in their Arkansas mansion home just one day after a hearing to finalize her divorce, according to officials.
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that 40-year-old Charity Beallis and two children were found dead with gunshot wounds inside their home in Bonanza, Arkansas, on Dec. 3 following a welfare check. The shooting happened just one day after the final divorce hearing for Charity and her estranged husband, Randall, according to 5 News.
Republican Arkansas Sen. Terry Rice told the outlet that Charity met with him earlier in 2025 and said she was fearful for her life, as well as the lives of her children.
Randall was arrested earlier this year after he allegedly choked Charity on Feb. 16, 2025, according to the report. He was initially charged with aggravated assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, but pleaded guilty to a single third-degree battery charge in October.
COLORADO DENTIST JAMES CRAIG FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING WIFE IN POISONING PLOT
Charity Beallis filed for divorce from her husband in March. (Facebook)
According to 40/29 News, deputies said Randall, who is a doctor in Arkansas, wasn’t a suspect as of Friday.
Randall’s attorney told the outlet his client has been cooperative with law enforcement and fully supports the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
He received a one-year suspended sentence and was given a no-contact order with his wife or any of her family members, which Charity approved of.
Charity made a comment on a 5 News article in August, where she wrote, “I’m living this battle right now. I am the victim, yet I’ve been treated like the problem while the criminal — a local doctor — is being shielded by the very system that’s supposed to protect us.”
TEXAS A&M STUDENT BRIANNA AGUILERA’S FALL DEATH SPARKS POLICE RESPONSE TO FAMILY’S EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS: REPORT
Randall Beallis was arrested in February. (Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office)
“I’ve tried to reach Prosecuting Attorney … but he won’t even accept a letter from me. My voice, as the victim, has been shut out,” Charity wrote. “This is not just about me — this is about a system that protects offenders and rejects victims. Lives are at stake, including the lives of young children.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Charity Beallis got married in 2015, according to divorce records. (Facebook)
Charity filed for divorce shortly after her husband was arrested in February. The divorce records indicate the two got married in 2015 and stopped living together in February.
After Charity died, on Dec. 4, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case. Charity was seeking full custody of the children.
“Search warrants have been written and executed with more search warrants anticipated during the investigation. Interviews have taken place with more anticipated,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Randall’s attorney for comment.
Read the full article from Here
Vallejo man suspected of fatally shooting wife arrested in Pennsylvania
Prosecutors in Rhode Island drop charge against former Bay View athletic director
A Stronger Rail Network Is a Win for South Carolina’s Economy – FITSNews
VIEWPOINT | South Dakotans deserve the full story
Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Republican House leader signals plan to begin contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton
Three years on, former MEP Kaili remains in limbo still awaiting trial
Afghan CIA fighters face stark reality in the U.S. : Consider This from NPR
Video: Behind the Supreme Court’s Push to Expand Presidential Power
Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen for first time since release, pledges to ‘continue to fight’ Trump admin
-
Alaska6 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas7 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Washington4 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL6 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH5 days agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World5 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
