Grandmother who died from rabies after 'slight scratch' named by family

Grandmother who died from rabies after 'slight scratch' named by family
Yvonne Ford was visiting Morrocco when she had contact with a puppy, they said
Yvonne Ford became ill earlier this month
(Image: Alamy/PA )
The family of a grandmother who died after contracting rabies said she was scratched 'very slightly' by a puppy while visiting Morocco in February. Yvonne Ford's family said she only became ill two weeks ago, starting with a headache and resulting in her becoming unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow.
Ms Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died in the UK. It is understood she died in hospital.
‌
A Facebook post which her daughter Robyn Thomson made to raise awareness said: '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.'
Ms Thomson shared information about rabies, including that it is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure.
Article continues below
She added: '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 UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 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.
Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus, but in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people.
‌
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis.
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.'
According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902.
Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa.
Article continues below
Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine prior to travel.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

6 hours ago

• Wales Online

I took Mounjaro and the results changed my life

I took Mounjaro and the results changed my life Jess always struggled to manage her weight, however a year after using the controversial Mounjaro vaccine, she has now lost 100 pounds Jessica shared the moment where she was able to travel abroad - without using a belt extender (Image: Jessica Miles ) For Jess Miles, a 37-year-old secretary from Newcastle Emlyn, weight had always been a shadow in her life. It was a battle that stretched back from her childhood and stubbornly into adulthood. "I've been overweight since I was a kid. It got worse after I had my son, nearly 16 years ago," she says. "I've tried everything - Slimming World, Weight Watchers - you name it! I'd lose a couple of stone, then binge eat, put it all back on and give up until the next time." ‌ However, the wake up call came with two gut wrenching moments: stepping on the scale and seeing 24 stone and four pounds, and the whisper of her late mother's final wish. ‌ "I lost my mum just before COVID," Jess shared. "One of the last things she ever said to me was that she wanted me to lose weight. She was a big woman too, but after getting diagnosed with diabetes, she changed everything. She went from a size 26 to a 14 - it was really amazing to see. She did it - and she wanted the same thing for me." This echoed through Jess' mind when she looked at herself last year. "Reaching 24 stone.... I cried. Honestly, I felt ashamed of myself. I thought that if I don't do something, I won't live to see my son turn 18." A year ago, Jessica weighed 24 stone and four pounds (Image: Jessica Miles ) Article continues below That's when she found Mounjaro - a weight loss option that has become increasingly familiar in the public eye - for both positive and negative reasons. Jess had started seeing the name crop up on Facebook and TikTok, the latest buzz in weight loss. "It was everywhere," she recalled. "But I didn't know anyone who had tried it. Back then it was so new, so I was very apprehensive about it." It wasn't just the unknown that made her hesitate. It was the cost - upwards of £250 a month. "I kept putting it off, thinking 'I can't afford this'. But one day I just thought, b****r it! Something has to change and nothing else has worked!" ‌ Armed with this sudden burst of determination, she booked a consultation with Iechyd Teifi Health, a private clinic. On July 4, 2024, she walked in, shaking hands with the consultant with a pounding heart: "I actually said out loud, 'I don't know what I'm doing here.' I was so incredibly nervous." Jess was honest from the start about her biggest worry: the side effects. "The list was terrifying," she admits. "I have read that there are possible cases of thyroid cancer, liver and kidney issues.... not to mention the more common stuff like nausea or constipation." These concerns weren't unfounded. The NHS website notes, "Common side effects, include: ‌ Feeling sick Indigestion Constipation Diarrhoea "There can be some more serious side effects, such as low blood sugar, gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)." Fortunately, Jess had no underlying health conditions that would have put her at severe risk with the treatment. Through further discussion with the doctors at her workplace, Jess was given the green light to proceed - with agreement to have regular blood tests to keep everything in check. ‌ From the moment she took her first injection, almost a year ago, Jess says something shifted. "I had my first injection the day of my consultation. That night, I remember sitting down to eat and I just... couldn't," she said. "There was a full plate of food in front of me, and I managed about a quarter of it. I physically couldn't eat more. It was shocking. Normally I'd eat massive portions without a second thought." That initial shock was quickly followed by nausea, a side effect that lingered for the first few weeks and continues to take hold. "I wasn't used to it in the beginning. I felt sick a lot, especially the first weekend. I barely ate anything," Jess says. "But weirdly, I sort of needed that reset. It forced me to stop and think about what I was putting in my body." ‌ That thought struck after a late night stop at her local chippy. "I had a portion of chips and my gosh was I ill that night. It must have been all the grease and fat... From that point on, I realised I had to actually change what I eat." Jess didn't give up all her favourite foods - she didn't need to. But her relationship with them has changed. "Chocolate used to be my downfall. I used to be able to eat a whole bar of Galaxy in one sitting. Now? A square or two and I am genuinely satisfied." Jessica shared that she had always struggled with her weight but since taking the injection has seen an incredible difference (Image: Jessica Miles ) ‌ Her drastic change in appetite has also impacted her daily routine. "I don't eat breakfast now. A coffee keeps me going until about half ten and then I'll have a small portion of fruit before lunch. If I have a proper lunch, sometimes I don't have supper. I have cut down on all my snacking. The injection has changed everything." And yet in those early months, people didn't believe it would last. "I think a lot of my family and friends thought I'd give up like I always had before, and I don't blame them! I had a history of starting strong and then slipping back into old habits. "But this time was different. They started to take notice when I hit that two-stone mark. That's when they realised I was serious." Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here ‌ Jess' biggest cheerleader wasn't around to see it, but Jess knows that her mother is with her in spirit. "Honestly, she remains my biggest motivator, through all the tough moments. I know my mother is looking down on me and is proud of what I have achieved!" Week by week, stone by stone, the weight has come off. "I weigh myself every morning before work. I go in and tell the girls, 'I lost three pounds!' and they're just as excited as I am. Everyone has just been so amazing and supportive." For Jess, her biggest milestone came during a shopping trip. "I didn't really want to go clothes shopping because of how much my weight was fluctuating, but it got to the point where I was looking stupid going to work because of how oversized my normal clothes were. ‌ "I remember on that trip, picking up a t-shirt in New Look in my usual size 24, without thinking - it drowned me. So I grabbed a size 18 - still too big. I ended up buying a size 16. I hadn't been that size since school." She stood in front of the store, holding the old size against her body - gobsmacked. "I nearly cried. It wasn't about the clothes. It was seeing for the first time how far I come. No matter how much I look in the mirror, I can't register the changes, but in that moment it became undeniable." Now 49 weeks in, Jess has lost seven stone and two pounds - exactly 100 pounds. ‌ Jessica said that her friends and family can't get over the difference Mounjaro has made (Image: Jessica Miles ) "I still can't believe it," she says. "That weight is basically equal to a size of a small child.... it's crazy! It blows my mind." Beyond the physical changes, there has also been a change in mindset. "A small part of me used to dread weekends. I've got a little balloon business on the side, and I'd find myself sweating, exhausted putting party displays up. But I now find myself with this new lease of energy that makes me get up and want to do it." ‌ That renewed energy carried through to every part of her life - even travelling, something that once brought discomfort and embarrassment. "We went to Mallorca last year and to get on that plane and not need a belt extender? Oh my god, that was the best day of my life!" Those kind of moments - picking up a smaller size, getting through the weekend without feeling breathless, not using a belt extender - have defined Jess' year. She is now a comfortable size 18, with aspirations of reaching a size 16. "I'd say lose another two stone and I am happy. I am now preparing for my final injection - I will be stopping after this month. With the £250 a month I have been spending, I plan on putting it towards going to the gym and swimming to tone up! ‌ "I am so proud. I have honestly never been happier and that's really why I am sharing my story. I have seen so much bad conversation surround this injection and people who are on it are too embarrassed to even talk about it - but I am living proof of it working. "If you have no underlying health conditions - and I say this in big, bold, capital letters - then I would 100% advise anyone to take it. The impact it has had on me has been out of this world." There is a slight sting that this injection may become readily available over the counter after a short consultation - at the cost of an NHS prescription. The possibility was difficult pill for Jess to swallow, she confessed. ‌ "I was heartbroken," she says frankly. "One of the girls in work told me and I was swearing, ranting and raving. People are going to be able to walk into a doctors and get it for free when I've spent thousands. "That did hit me quite hard." Still, she understands the benefits of wider access - especially when done safely and with the right medical support. "I know it's safer through the NHS, because they have your full medical history. That's what really matters - making sure it's done properly." ‌ And for Jess, peace of mind was worth every penny. "I know I could've gotten it cheaper online, but I didn't trust it. I wanted to be supported and monitored. I felt safe doing through the clinic and I don't regret that." As Jess prepares to step into the next phase of her journey - one without Mounjaro, but with motivation - she hopes her story helps others feel less alone. She's already had dozens of people reach out through her social media. "Some people message me saying I've inspired them to try it. Others are asking about the side effects. I always say the same - for me it was mainly constipation and some nausea at the start. But nothing major. The nausea only hits if you overeat, because your body just can't handle it anymore." Article continues below Her routine is different now, more mindful. Smaller meals. Higher protein. Regular movement - even if it's just walking the dogs or getting her steps in during her lunch break. Yet her message is clear: "Be honest. Don't take it if you have underlying conditions. It's not a shortcut, it's hard work - but it does work."

Scottish Sun

a day ago

• Scottish Sun

Is it safe to let my Bearded Dragon enjoy the sun from our patio? – your pet queries answered

'How can we tell if our hamster is happy?', asks another pet owner PAWS AND CLAWS Is it safe to let my Bearded Dragon enjoy the sun from our patio? – your pet queries answered Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Sean McCormack, head vet at promises he can 'help keep pets happy and healthy' 4 Vet Sean gives advice to a Bearded Dragon owner Credit: Alamy Q: SHOULD I let my Bearded Dragon Lucky out on the patio in the sun, in a safe enclosure where he will be supervised? It seems a shame to keep him inside if the weather is good. What do you think? MIKE BROWN, Leeds Sean says: Yes, natural UV rays from the sunshine just can't be beaten for reptiles like your Beardie. But a few safety tips . . . You've already touched on the most important one. It must be a foolproof, escape-proof enclosure — if there is a gap or opportunity to climb or jump out, Lucky will take it. And not be so lucky facing life in the wild. You must also watch him like a hawk, or a hungry hawk or cat could see him as a meal. Finally, what can seem like sunny weather to us may not produce the right temperature for him at ground level, for example. So it's best to use a thermometer to measure the ground and air temperature, ensuring it's meeting his ideal thermal range. If it's a few degrees too cold don't risk it, as respiratory illness is common in Beardies if they catch a chill. Q: HOW can we tell if our hamster is happy? And what are the signs of stress? We have Siberian hamster Pippa, who is six months old, and I want to ensure she has the happiest life, cared for by my daughters Bella, eight and Flo, nine. MARK THOMAS, Cardiff Sean says: I applaud you Mark, as many small pets are overlooked in this way — seen as low-maintenance, not needing much consideration for their happiness. And the way they are sold, particularly in respect to their housing, is often below the acceptable minimum standard in terms of space and environmental or behavioural enrichment. Basically, think how a hamster lives in the wild — yes, there are still wild hamsters in Europe, Russia and into Asia. They live in a burrow system and will roam great distances at night. A tiny cage with a wheel just doesn't cut it. So provide as big a cage as possible, with a safe area for supervised free roaming. Q: MY dog gets grass seeds in her paws. I keep her pad clipped but should I consider getting booties for her? I wonder if Mica, a Siberian husky, is just unlucky or if there's anything else I can do to stop this happening? HELEN BROOMFIELD, Doncaster Sean says: Most dogs really dislike boots and poorly fitting ones can chafe by altering how they walk. My advice is to try to keep Mica away from areas of very long grass going to seed. You simply have to inspect her paws after every walk and make sure there are no seeds lurking under or between her pads. Keeping fur clipped short there is good too. Q: WHAT steps should I take to keep my dog safe as the weather gets hotter? Should I get a drinking bowl that cools water? Or provide fans? After last year's heatwave, I want to get prepared. COLIN SMITH, Sudbury, Suffolk Sean says: No need for expensive gadgets. Room-temperature water, and plenty of it, around the house is best — and shade to retreat to when things get too hot. If you can get one, a cooling mat is a good idea. Finally, make sure to only walk your dog in the cooler mornings and evenings, never in the middle of the day when it gets really hot. Test the pavement with the back of your hand — if it's too hot for you it's too hot for our dogs. Star of the week 4 Felix the dog has been announced as Britain's new ambassador for sports brand ASICS Credit: supplied GLOBETROTTER Felix the dog has been announced as Britain's new ambassador for sports brand ASICS. The seven-year-old Samoyed has visited 36 countries and is an social-media sensation with the handle @wanderlust_samoyed. Latest ASICS research shows British dog owners are 35 per cent more likely to hit recommended physical activity guidelines compared to those without dogs, and have better mental wellbeing. ASICS spokesman Gary Raucher said: 'We are delighted to have Felix as our official ASICS Mind's Best Friend and share dogs' infectious love for movement with the world to motivate us to get out and move for our minds.' See WIN: Kanoodle toy bundle DISCOVER Kanoodle® Dog Edition by Brightkins™. This engaging toy hides tasty treats, encouraging your dog to sniff, spin and solve for their reward. Brightkins is giving away five bundles each worth £49.90 – one for your dog and one for humans. See who cracks it first. To enter, send an email headed BRIGHTKINS to sundaypets@the-sun. by July 6. See T&Cs apply. How to keep your dogs safe at the seaside WITH summer fun on the way, one of the country's top canine first-aiders has issued an urgent warning about water safety for dogs. Veterinary nurse Rachel Bean, author of the iPET Network's canine first-aid qualification, said that while many dogs love water, some breeds, boxers, are at higher risk of drowning. 4 Here's how to keep your beloved pet safe at the beach Credit: Getty Here are her top four hazards to look out for . . . 1. Sea water ingestion, which can lead to salt poisoning: Rachel says: 'If your dog starts vomiting or showing signs of distress, get them to a vet immediately. Carry fresh water and offer it frequently while at the beach.' 2. Drowning: Breeds such as bulldogs, boxers and Basset hounds are physically unsuited to swimming, so don't just assume they will be fine. 3. Blue-green algae: It can be lethal, even in small doses. Rachel says: 'Rinse them off immediately. Symptoms can appear rapidly and include weakness and drooling.' 4. Overexertion and heatstroke: Watch for excessive panting, drooling, disorientation or collapse. Move them to shade, offer cool (not ice-cold) water and seek veterinary help urgently.

Metro

a day ago

• Metro

Passengers forced to evacuate train with no air conditioning after 'slowly cooki

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Passengers were forced to walk down sizzling train tracks after a Thameslink service became stuck in the 34°C heat. Customers on the service said they felt as if they were being 'slow cooked' after the train came to a halt – and the air conditioning stopped working. At least three trains had to stop in the middle of their journeys due to faults, with one service shown being evacuated. One customer wrote online: '[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. 'The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked.' Another took to socials to ask to be rescued, saying they had been stuck on a train between Blackfriars and East Croydon for more than an hour with no air conditioning. One added they were on a 'rammed' service to Brighton, describing the journey as a 'medical accident waiting to happen'. Footage shows passengers jumping from the train onto the ground below and walking along the tracks as the sun beats down on them. Many can be seen ragging suitcases behind them, or helping older passengers make the climb down. It comes as temperatures peak today during the days long heatwave, with highs of 34°C, below the June record of 35.6°C in 1976. Thameslink said: ' Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident.' People living in London and the West Midlands are most at risk of becoming seriously ill in the extreme heat. More than 10,000 people died prematurely in summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). More Trending The agency has issued amber heat-health alerts across the country, running until 9am on Monday. Dr Agostinho Sousa said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°c in many areas. 'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. 'It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Family's plea for truth after man shot dead in 'case of mistaken identity' MORE: Moment officer tells Christian street preacher 'it's all wrong' outside station MORE: Sister charged with murdering film director in missing diamond Rolex case