Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, caught rabies from a stray dog in Morocco and was diagnosed after she returned to the UK and lost her ability to walk, talk and swallow
A British mum who died from rabies after being scratched “very slightly” by a puppy in Morocco has been named and pictured.
Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, was diagnosed in Yorkshire and The Humber after returning home from the trip and developing mild symptoms that eventually worsened, resulting in her losing her ability to walk, talk and swallow. Her devastated loved-ones wrote in a post on Facebook: “Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others. Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford’s wife and our Mum, died of rabies.
“She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February. At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn’t think much of it. Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing.”
Travellers are now being warned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries due to the risk of catching the disease. Rabies is nearly always fatal, and is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. Exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease, but only if given promptly after exposure to the virus.
Once symptoms have developed, rabies is almost always fatal. Initial symptoms can include anxiety, headaches and fever, which can develop into hallucinations and respiratory failure once the disease progresses. Spasms of the muscles used for swallowing can also make it difficult for the patient to drink. The incubation period between being infected and showing symptoms is typically between 3 and 12 weeks, but can vary from a few days to many months depending on the site of the initial infection.
Yvonne’s daughter Robyn, who announced her mother’s passing on Facebook, also issued a warning about rabies, stressing that the disease is always fatal once symptoms appear – and can be caught from even a minor scratch or bite. In a list tited ‘What You Should Know About Rabies’, Robyn said:
- Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear.
- It is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure.
- Even a minor scratch or bite from an infected animal—wild or domestic—can transmit the virus.
- If you are ever bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis vacines can save your life.
She continued: “We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you.”
The UKHSA has reassured Brits that there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary.
Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at the UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time. “If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.
“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”