UK Woman, 59, Dies Of Rabies After Getting "Slightly" Scratched By Stray Puppy In Morocco
A 59-year-old British woman has died of rabies after getting "scratched" by a stray puppy in Morocco, the BBC reported. Yvonne Ford, from South Yorkshire, died on June 11. In a Facebook post, her daughter, Robyn Thomson, wrote that her mother was "scratched very slightly" by a puppy in Morocco in February. "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," she said.
Ms Thomson said the family "is still processing this unimaginable loss". She shared information about rabies, and urged people to "please take animal bites seriously". "We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love ... vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you," she concluded.
According to the BBC, Yvonne Ford was diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK and was later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. She died on 11 June. An investigation into her is ongoing, the outlet reported.
Rabies is a deadly virus that's nearly always spread to humans from contact with a sickened animal. It is advised to seek medical treatment immediately after any contact with a wild animal. Once symptoms begin to show, the condition is usually fatal.
Symptoms include numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched, hallucinations, feeling very anxious or energetic, difficulty swallowing or breathing and paralysis. Symptoms of rabies usually take three to 12 weeks to appear, but they can also appear after a few days or not for several months or years, per the outlet.
For Mrs Ford, her symptoms took months to show up. In her Facebook post, Ms Thomson wrote that her mother was scratched in February and "two weeks ago she became ill". "At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it," she said, adding that her mother's symptoms began "with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing."
Rabies is a virus that causes an infection of the brain and nervous system in humans.
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NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
UK Woman, 59, Dies Of Rabies After Getting "Slightly" Scratched By Stray Puppy In Morocco
A 59-year-old British woman has died of rabies after getting "scratched" by a stray puppy in Morocco, the BBC reported. Yvonne Ford, from South Yorkshire, died on June 11. In a Facebook post, her daughter, Robyn Thomson, wrote that her mother was "scratched very slightly" by a puppy in Morocco in February. "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," she said. Ms Thomson said the family "is still processing this unimaginable loss". She shared information about rabies, and urged people to "please take animal bites seriously". "We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love ... vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you," she concluded. According to the BBC, Yvonne Ford was diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK and was later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. She died on 11 June. An investigation into her is ongoing, the outlet reported. Rabies is a deadly virus that's nearly always spread to humans from contact with a sickened animal. It is advised to seek medical treatment immediately after any contact with a wild animal. Once symptoms begin to show, the condition is usually fatal. Symptoms include numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched, hallucinations, feeling very anxious or energetic, difficulty swallowing or breathing and paralysis. Symptoms of rabies usually take three to 12 weeks to appear, but they can also appear after a few days or not for several months or years, per the outlet. For Mrs Ford, her symptoms took months to show up. In her Facebook post, Ms Thomson wrote that her mother was scratched in February and "two weeks ago she became ill". "At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it," she said, adding that her mother's symptoms began "with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing." Rabies is a virus that causes an infection of the brain and nervous system in humans.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
British woman dies after an innocent-looking puppy scratch in Morocco
A 59-year-old British woman has passed away after contracting rabies from what appeared to be an innocuous scratch by a stray puppy while on holiday in Morocco last year. The case is the UK's first travel-acquired rabies death since 2018 and prompted urgent reminders about the dangers of animal contact overseas by health officials. The Barnsley woman, Yvonne Ford, was scratched by a stray puppy in February 2025. Thinking it was only a minor cut, she didn't have it treated immediately. But weeks later, in early June, she started suffering from serious neurological symptoms such as headache, paralysis, and the inability to speak, swallow, or sleep. Even hospitalization and medical treatment in the UK could not save Ford, who died on June 11 due to the infection. Rabies is a viral infection that is nearly always terminal once symptoms appear but is completely preventable if treated quickly after exposure. There is no risk to the general public, but all who may have had contact with Ford including medical staff are being offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a precaution, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states. PEP involves a course of rabies vaccines, which, if given early, are almost 100% effective at preventing the disease. "These are tragic circumstances and a stark reminder of the risks of rabies in some regions of the world," added UKHSA's Dr. Katherine Russell. "If you have been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal from a place where rabies exists, it's crucial to wash the wound thoroughly and get immediate medical attention." she added. Rabies is prevalent in most countries in Asia and Africa, including Morocco. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals by bites or scratches. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that rabies kills about 59,000 people annually across the world, and 99% of human cases are caused by dog exposure. Yvonne Ford's case mirrors a similar tragedy from 2018, when another British citizen died after being bitten by a rabid cat in Morocco. All rabies deaths in the UK since 2000 have involved infections acquired while traveling overseas. Health officials are advising travelers to rabies-endemic areas to keep away from stray or unknown animals. In some instances, particularly for individuals staying in rural areas for prolonged periods or working intensely with animals,pre-exposure vaccination is advisable prior to travel. They also emphasize that even the slightest wounds, such as a scratch, can be lethal if they are not treated. Travellers are advised to clean any animal-related wound at once with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes and immediately get urgent medical attention for examination and potential rabies vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says Avoid contact with wild or stray animals: Keep your distance from wildlife and stray dogs or cats, whether at home or abroad In the U.S. rabies is rare, but it remains widespread elsewhere; always check whether dogs or wildlife carry rabies at your destination. Vaccinate pets regularly: Ensure household pets stay up to date on rabies shots Many countries require imported dogs to be vaccinated and microchipped. Clean wounds immediately: Any bite or scratch from an animal, even a minor one, should be washed thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water. Vaccination: Pre-exposure Recommended for those working with animals or traveling to regions with limited medical care. Usually a 2-dose series, under CDC's ACIP guidelines, simplified from the older 3-dose method. After exposure: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) Clean the wound thoroughly Administer human rabies immune globulin Start the rabies vaccine series (4 doses over 14 days for those previously unvaccinated, 2 doses for those previously vaccinated). Remember, prevention is better than cure. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
British woman dies of rabies after ‘slight scratch' from stray puppy on Morocco holiday
A 59-year-old British woman has died from rabies after a minor scratch from a puppy while on holiday in Morocco, according to a report by the BBC. The incident has prompted calls from her family to raise awareness about the seriousness of animal bites and the importance of timely medical intervention. A British woman developed fatal rabies weeks after a minor puppy scratch in Morocco.(Representational image/Unsplash) (Also read: Indian-origin woman charged £4,586 for parking error in UK: 'It was surreal') Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, came into light contact with a stray puppy during her February holiday in Morocco. According to her daughter, Robyn Thomson, the injury appeared trivial at the time and did not cause concern. However, the consequences would later prove devastating. 'She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February,' Thomson wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. "At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it." Sudden deterioration Ford began showing symptoms two weeks ago, starting with a headache that quickly escalated. "She became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing," her daughter shared. Check out the post here: As per the outlet, she was initially treated at Barnsley Hospital upon her return to the UK and later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where she was diagnosed with rabies. She died on June 11. An inquest into her death has since opened in Sheffield. (Also read: UK woman who has explored 60 countries reveals the one place she refuses to revisit) Public health response The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that there is no risk to the wider public, noting that there is no documented evidence of rabies transmission from person to person. Family appeals for awareness The loss has left the Ford family in shock. "We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love," Thomson wrote. She added a plea to the public: "Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you."
