Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old grandmother from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died on June 11, 2025, four months after being scratched by a stray dog in Morocco. The incident occurred on February 12, 2025, when Ms. Ford startled the animal while sitting on a sun lounger at the beach. Despite the minor injury with no evident bleeding, she did not seek immediate medical treatment and cleaned the wound with a wet wipe.
Key Takeaways
Yvonne Ford, 59, died from rabies four months after being scratched by a stray dog in Morocco. Her family emphasized the importance of seeking urgent medical advice for animal bites abroad.
- Yvonne Ford contracted rabies after a minor scratch from a stray dog in Morocco
- Rabies symptoms began appearing in late May and she passed away on June 11, 2025
- Family highlights the need for immediate medical attention after animal bites abroad
- Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear but preventable with vaccination
In late May, Ms. Ford began exhibiting symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, mobility issues, disorientation, hallucinations, and anxiety. She was admitted to Barnsley Hospital on June 2 as her condition deteriorated rapidly. Doctors initially struggled to diagnose her condition, suspecting Lyme disease or a mental health issue.
Rabies was only suspected after a psychiatrist asked about her travel history. Ms. Ford was then transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where she died nine days later on June 11. Her family had to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during her final moments but held her hand as she passed away.
The inquest heard that rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms begin to show and can only be prevented with a vaccine. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Katharine Cartwright testified that there have been only 26 cases of rabies in the UK since 1946.
Ms. Ford's daughter, Robyn Thomson, emphasized the importance of seeking urgent medical advice if scratched or bitten by an animal abroad to prevent another family from enduring similar trauma. The coroner is considering changes to the travel history notification period for patients based on this case.
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