However, they didn't know rabies was the cause.

CNN: CDC: Man died of rabies from kidney transplant

Giery said the donor wasn't tested for rabies because his symptoms didn't raise a red flag for infection.

NPR: NC Airman At Center Of Rabies Case Was Outdoorsman

At the time, rabies wasn't suspected as the cause of the donor's death, and no rabies test was done before the donor's kidneys, heart and liver were delivered for transplantation in September 2011, the CDC said.

CNN: CDC: Man died of rabies from kidney transplant

Giery said every donor program does extensive testing of every potential donor, but rabies isn't part of the routine screening, partly because human cases are so rare.

NPR: NC Airman At Center Of Rabies Case Was Outdoorsman