Yvonne Ford, 59, a British woman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died of rabies after she was scratched by a stray puppy while on holiday in Morocco. Initially, the scratch was treated lightly, but now the family is calling for better awareness of animal bites and how having the medical treatment can make all the difference.
Apparently Innocent Scratch Becomes Fatal
In Morocco on holiday in February, Ford was briefly bitten by a stray puppy. The wound seemed minor and was not a cause of concern at the time, according to her daughter, Robyn Thomson. “She was very slightly scratched by a puppy in Morocco in February,” Thomson posted on Facebook. “At the time, she didn’t think anything would come of it and didn’t think much of it.
Health Decline and Diagnosis
It was only recently that Ford’s health suddenly declined. “She got sick, beginning with a headache and leading to losing her ability to walk, to talk, sleep, to swallow. Leading to her death,” her daughter explained.
She was first treated at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK but was then transferred to Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital when her condition deteriorated. She was diagnosed with rabies there. She died on June 11. Sheffield coroner has opened an inquest into her death.
No Public Threat
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that there is no risk to the wider public since rabies is not known to pass from human to human. They also reaffirmed that there is no evidence to support such transmission.
Family’s Emotional Appeal
The loss has left Ford’s family distraught and now encouraging others to treat even the most superficial of animal injuries seriously. “We never imagined anything like this could happen to someone we love,” Thomson wrote, including an important message: “Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you.”
