British Woman Dies of Rabies After Scratch from Puppy in Morocco
A tragic case highlights the dangers of rabies, as a British woman has died from the virus after a seemingly minor scratch from a puppy. This incident underscores the importance of taking animal bites seriously, particularly in regions where rabies is prevalent.
The Incident and Diagnosis
In February, Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was scratched by a stray dog while on vacation in Morocco. Her family has reported that she started experiencing a headache, which quickly worsened, leading to an inability to walk, speak, sleep, or swallow. She was later diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK.
The patient was subsequently transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. Sadly, Ms. Ford passed away on June 11, with an inquest into her death having been opened in Sheffield.
“We are still processing this unimaginable loss,”
—Robyn Thomson, Daughter of Yvonne Ford
Close contacts of Ms. Ford and healthcare personnel were assessed and offered vaccinations as a precautionary measure, a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) spokesperson added.
Understanding Rabies
Rabies is a dangerous viral infection that attacks the brain and nervous system in humans. The World Health Organization states that dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies cases. Symptoms usually emerge three to twelve weeks following exposure; however, this can vary widely.
Early symptoms can include tingling or numbness near the bite site, along with anxiety, hallucinations, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Prompt post-exposure treatment is critical, as the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Data from the CDC reveals that approximately 59,000 people die from rabies worldwide each year.
Public Health Advice and Precautions
The UKHSA has emphasized that there is no threat to the general public, as rabies transmission between people is not documented. Health officials advise anyone traveling to countries with high rabies rates to avoid contact with animals and seek pre-travel advice about vaccinations.
The NHS website advises immediate medical attention if an animal bites, scratches, or licks a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound abroad. Six cases of human rabies connected to animal exposure abroad have been reported in the UK between 2000 and 2024.
Jane McNicholas, chief medical officer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, stated, We can confirm that we provided specialist care for a patient who had contracted rabies whilst abroad and who has now sadly died. Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time and out of respect for their privacy we will not be providing any further information.
