Latest news with #YvonneFord
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Rabies death prompts jump in vaccine inquiries
The death of a British grandmother from rabies after she was scratched by a puppy while on holiday has sparked a surge in the number of travellers seeking advice about vaccinations, a pharmacist has said. Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, died in hospital in Sheffield on 11 June after having light contact with the stray dog during a family trip to Morocco in Olamide Olokanmi said that, following news of the tragic case: "We've had a lot of phone calls asking about it."He said his pharmacy in Otley, West Yorkshire, had stocked up on the jab but he was concerned that an increase in demand may lead to a shortage of supply. "We frequently have supply issues with vaccines, especially when there's a high demand for them, and rabies notoriously seems to be one of them," said Mr Olokanmi. "Year-on-year we always have that problem, so I do foresee that being a problem."There would then be a wait for it to come back in or we'd have to go to another manufacturer which then drives up the price of the vaccine."It currently costs up to £330 for a three-dose rabies vaccine. 'Lots of calls' Mrs Ford's death from the the virus was the first in the UK since 2018 when a British man was bitten by a cat in the same African Olokanmi said there had already been an upsurge in the number of people seeking advice about whether to get the vaccination before travelling to high-risk regions such as Asia, Africa and Central and South news of Mrs Ford's death, most people accessing the pharmacy's travel clinic opted not to get the jab, he said. Mr Olokanmi added: "We had one lady come in on Wednesday night who is going on holiday to Morocco."She wasn't going to get the vaccine but after hearing what happened to this lady she changed her mind."A young man has also come in who is going to Morocco and we've had a lot of phone calls from people asking about it." Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist at the University of Cambridge, said rabies was a "big international problem" but very few people in the UK were affected. "We never take risks with rabies. It's universally fatal if you catch it with very few exceptions."Dr Smith, who heads up the university-based The Naked Scientists podcast, added: "Most of the infections we see come from stray dogs and feral cats."It's very tempting when you see a cute looking puppy or kitten and think, I'll just pet that. But if they've got rabies their behaviour changes."They can scratch or bite you and rabies is spread in the saliva of an infected animal and it's then injected into the wound site either by the scratch or bite."Once it's in you, you have very little time for us to intervene to block it before it gets into the nervous system with fatal consequences."If the worst did happen, thankfully we can intervene but you have to do that promptly. Act immediately and in most countries medical facilities know what to do." The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the latest case involving Mrs Ford underscored "the importance of awareness and timely treatment" for UK the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), said under its code of conduct, it required its members to direct customers to the UK government's travel advice when planning and booking their Brennan, from the organisation, said: "The UK Foreign Office does do a lot to raise awareness of checking this advice and we support them in that, and their work with industry."
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Should I be worried about rabies on holiday and where is it a risk?
Following the death of a British grandmother from rabies, tourists headed on their summer holidays may have heightened concerns about the safety of their travel plans. Yvonne Ford, 59, died in Sheffield last Wednesday (11 June), four months after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco. Rabies, a rare but deadly infection, is usually transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, the viral disease is almost always fatal. Common symptoms of rabies include numbness, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing. Here's everything holidaymakers need to know to stay safe from rabies while travelling. What is rabies? Rabies is a usually fatal infection of the brain and nerves that can be caught if a person is bitten, scratched or licked by an infected animal. The viral disease is spread by contact with saliva from mammals, such as dogs, bats, raccoons and foxes. What are the symptoms of rabies? According to the NHS, symptoms of rabies can take days, weeks or even several months to appear. These include: Numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched Hallucinations Feeling very anxious or energetic Difficulty swallowing or breathing Paralysis 'Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal,' says NHS guidance. Where is rabies most common? Rabies is rare in the UK, but it is found in some UK bat species. It is more common in parts of: Asia Africa Central and South America Can I get a rabies vaccine? There is a pre-exposure rabies vaccine that is recommended to travellers visiting regions where the viral disease is more common. Travellers headed to remote areas for more than a month with a likelihood of encountering infected animals are encouraged by the NHS to have the vaccine. In most cases, you have to pay for the rabies vaccine. Is there a treatment for rabies? Yes, if administered before symptoms appear, travellers can be treated to prevent rabies post-exposure. This usually involves two or more doses of the rabies vaccine. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): 'A full course of pre-exposure rabies vaccines will provide good protection from rabies for most people.' If a traveller has completed a full course of the pre-exposure rabies vaccine within the last year, they may receive a single booster dose. The NHS say that those who have not had the rabies vaccine before or are immunocompromised may also have their wound treated with a medicine called rabies immunoglobulin. However, once symptoms develop, there is no effective treatment. What is the UK government's advice for travellers? To reduce the risk of getting rabies while travelling abroad, the UKHSA tells tourists to avoid contact with any wild animals, including touching or feeding them. It also warns: 'Rabid animals may behave strangely or seem unusually tame, but some may not have any signs that they are infected.' If bitten, scratched or licked by an animal on broken skin, UKHSA recommends travellers take these steps:
Metro
20 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
Family of Brit killed by rabies share video of her dancing weeks before she died
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A British mum who died of rabies weeks after being scratched by a dog on holiday was dancing and carefree just a fortnight before her death. Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, started feeling ill a couple of weeks ago. The 59-year-old had been scratched by a dog during a family holiday in Morocco in February – but nobody thought anything of it until she started showing symptoms earlier this month. Yvonne's family have shared a warning about the dangers of rabies, and shared a heartbreaking video of her dancing only a short time before she started showing symptoms to demonstrate just how quickly the virus took hold. The clip, filmed less than two weeks before Yvonne's death, shows her dancing around an umbrella surrounded by younger relatives, throwing her hands in the air and smiling. She was showing absolutely no signs that she was carrying the virus, which can take up to 12 weeks to start showing symptoms. Her daughter Robyn Thompson, 32, shared the video on social media and 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.' Recalling the moment her mum was scratched by a dog, she added: '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. 'Mum was the heart of our family – strong, loving and endlessly supportive. 'No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us.' Initial symptoms can include anxiety, headaches and fever There may be hallucinations and respiratory failure if it develops Spasms of the muscles used for swallowing make it difficult for the patient to drink The incubation period between being infected and showing symptoms is between three and 12 weeks If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal you must wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay Once symptoms have developed, rabies is almost always fatal Before symptoms develop, rabies can be treated with a course of vaccine – this is 'extremely effective' when given promptly after a bite – along with rabies immunoglobulin if required Every year, more than 15million people worldwide receive a post-bite vaccination and this is estimated to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths Pre-exposure immunisation is recommended for people in certain high-risk occupations and for travellers to rabies-affected, remote areas But effective treatment for rabies is not readily available to those in need UKHSA/World Health Organisation The UK Health Security Agency says it's assessing anyone who came into contact with Yvonne since she returned from Morocco. More Trending They say there is no risk to the wider public. Dr Katherine Russell said: '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.' Rabies, which is fatal in almost all cases, causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mostly in Asia and Africa, according to the World Health Organisation, and dogs are responsible for 99% of cases. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent recall for chicken fettuccine alfredo 'linked to three deaths and a pregnancy loss' MORE: Urgent recall of dark chocolate almonds over 'life-threatening' health risk MORE: MPs vote in favour of decriminalising abortions in free vote
Cosmopolitan
20 hours ago
- Health
- Cosmopolitan
Rabies death alert has people worried: here's the UK risk, holiday spots to be aware of and symptoms
After a British woman, Yvonne Ford, 59, sadly died from rabies following a trip to Morocco where she was scratched by a dog, an alert has been shared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to remind holiday goers to stay safe. UKHSA also sought to reassure those worried that rabies could become an issue here in the UK. In a new blog post responding to the news, UKHSA said while "the individual was diagnosed in Yorkshire and the Humber, there is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case". As a precautionary response, it added, "health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary". But what actually is rabies and the risk of catching it while abroad? What symptoms should we be aware of? And what treatment options are there rabies? Given the tragic death of a woman in Yorkshire and the Humber in relation to rabies (a neurotropic virus) and the fact we're just emerging from a pandemic, it's understandable that people might be concerned. But, says superintendent pharmacist, Abbas Kanani MRPharmS, of Chemist Click, the risk of contracting rabies in the UK is extremely low. "The UKHSA report that there is no risk in animals and low risk in bats." Dr. Bruno Silvester Lope, lecturer in microbiology and epidemiology at Teesside University, adds that, "The UK is classified as rabies-free in terrestrial animals, meaning that the risk of rabies here is very low. The only reservoir of rabies-like viruses is in some species of bats, but human cases from bats are exceedingly rare." "There are a number of countries where the risk of rabies is particularly high. High-risk Asian countries include India, Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Vietnam, Philippines and China," Dr Lopes notes. "Rabies is also a risk in Africa, and in particular countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. People should also consider the risk of rabies when travelling to Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, Romania and Serbia. "These countries often have a large population of free-roaming dogs and less consistent access to post-exposure treatment." Always check the travel advice on the government website prior to visiting a new country and be mindful of interactions with animals. You can also look into getting a vaccination and speak with your GP about this. Elsewhere, the UK government has a list of other high risk rabies countries, some of which include: Canada and the USA are both listed as low risk but "foxes, skunks and racoons are high risk". "The main route for the transmission of rabies is by bites or scratches from infected mammals, particularly dogs, which make up over 99% of human cases worldwide," says Dr Lopes, who adds that cats and monkeys can also transmit rabies. "People can also contract rabies through other routes including licks on broken skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes or mouth, by dogs or very rarely, by bat bites." In order to keep safe, the number one piece of advice is to avoid contact with animals – in particular stray dogs, cats, and monkeys – no matter how cute, friendly or clean they may appear. Dr Lopes adds it's also best not to "feed or pet animals, even in tourist areas" and that it's "highly recommended to get a pre-exposure rabies vaccine if you are travelling to high-risk areas for long periods, visiting remote regions with limited medical access or working with animals". If you're bitten or scratched by a dog in a high risk country, it's always best to act quickly, says Dr Lopes, and get the wound cleaned before seeking medical help. "If bitten or scratched, immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) even if you are vaccinated," he says. Symptoms of rabies can vary from one person to another and may not appear immediately. In the case of Yvonne Ford, it is reported that it took several months for her symptoms (which included a headache which later led on to her being unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow) to manifest. Ford passed away in June but visited Morocco back in February. Kanani says signs to be aware of include: "Symptoms usually take some time to appear, typically between 3 to 12 weeks of infection," he details. "Once these symptoms are present, it is likely to be fatal." Unfortunately, rabies cannot be treated once it reaches the central nervous system and symptoms begin, says Kanani explains. "People who have not had the rabies vaccine or have a compromised immune system may also be given a medicine called rabies immunoglobulin," he continues. "Ford's case is rare because rabies is preventable when the correct provisions are followed. However, the survival rate once rabies symptoms are present is practically non-existent." Dr Lopes adds, "Before rabies symptoms start, post-exposure prophylaxis PEP treatment is advised, as well as thorough wound cleaning for at least 15 minutes. In some cases, rabies immunoglobulin is required or rabies vaccination, which involves a course of four doses." Speaking about the very sad case of Yvonne Ford, Dr Lopes highlights "the recent death we have heard about in the news this week is a rare occurrence. Human rabies cases are very rare in the UK, and any death is typically due to infection acquired abroad. "This tends to happen when a person is bitten while travelling but does not seek prompt PEP, they do not realise the seriousness of the risk and there is limited access to care in remote areas." This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC's Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women's Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Woman dies after catching rabies from stray dog while on holiday
A woman from the UK has tragically died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a stray dog during a visit to Morocco. Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was reported to have had "light contact" with the stray dog while on holiday in February in the North African country. Yvonne's daughter, Robyn Thomson, a neonatal nurse, posted a tribute to her mum on Facebook. She said she hoped to raise awareness of rabies, reports Yorkshire Live. She 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." Robyn posted details of what others should know about the disease including: "It is 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." She said: "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." Earlier this week, Robyn posted a video showing her mum dancing just two weeks before she lost her life. She also posted a picture of her, with the caption: "She was the heart of our family—strong, loving, and endlessly supportive. No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us. We are heartbroken, but also grateful for every moment we had with her." A UK Health Security Agency statement said: "There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case as there is no documented evidence of rabies passing between people. However, as a precautionary measure, health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary. "Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus. "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding travellers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries due to the risk of catching the disease." Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at 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." The health security agency said rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024 there were six cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa. All travellers to rabies affected countries should avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible, and seek advice about the need for rabies vaccine prior to travel. People were advised to take immediate action to wash a wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water, if: you've been bitten or scratched by an animal while you're abroad in a country with rabies an animal has licked your eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound you have, while you're abroad in a country with rabies you've been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK Local medical advice should be sought without delay, even in those who have been previously vaccinated. The agency said, when given promptly after an exposure, a course of rabies post-exposure treatment is extremely effective at preventing the disease. If such an exposure occurs abroad, the traveller should also consult their doctor on return, so the course of rabies treatment can be completed. If travellers have not sought medical advice abroad, they should contact their doctor promptly upon return for assessment. For more information on the risk of rabies in different countries, see the country information pages on the National Travel Health Network and Centre's (NaTHNaC's) website, TravelHealthPro.
