Woman Discovers She Had Rabies Days Before Death After Stray Dog Scratch

A 59-year-old British woman, Yvonne Ford, tragically died from rabies after being scratched by a stray dog during her vacation in Morocco in February 2025. Although the injury seemed minor, Ford began experiencing neurological symptoms months later and was diagnosed with rabies just days before her death in June 2025.

A 59-year-old British woman tragically passed away from rabies just days after being diagnosed, following a scratch from a stray dog during a vacation in Morocco. Yvonne Ford, who was on holiday in February 2025, suffered the fatal infection after being scratched by a puppy. Her story came to light during an inquest into her death.

Incident and Timeline

In February 2025, Ford was lightly scratched by a stray puppy while visiting a beach in Morocco. At the time, the injury appeared to be minor, and Ford did not seek medical attention, assuming it would not lead to any complications.

However, four months later, at the end of May, Ford began to experience unusual symptoms, such as hallucinations, disorientation, and other neurological problems. In June, her condition worsened, and she was referred to the mental health team at Barnsley Hospitals in the United Kingdom. After further examination, Ford was diagnosed with rabies and transferred to the infectious disease unit at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

Despite efforts to treat her, the disease progressed rapidly, and Ford passed away on June 11, 2025, just days after the diagnosis was confirmed.

Medical Investigation and Diagnosis

The inquest, held on March 3, shed light on the events surrounding Ford’s case. Dr. Alexander Burns, the psychiatrist who treated Ford, asked about her travel history, suspecting Lyme disease. When Ford mentioned the scratch from a dog during her holiday, it became clear that this was the source of her rabies infection. Dr. Burns confirmed that the scratch, which occurred on February 10, 2025, was the point at which the rabies virus had entered her body.

Ford was the first rabies patient Dr. Burns had encountered. After confirming the diagnosis, Ford was moved to a specialized unit for infectious diseases, where her condition continued to deteriorate, ultimately leading to her death.

Rabies Information and Statistics

Rabies is a viral disease primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals, particularly dogs. According to the Mayo Clinic, once symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal. It is critical to seek immediate medical attention after any potential exposure to rabies, as the virus can take weeks or even months to show symptoms.

The United Kingdom has very few rabies cases, with only 26 recorded since 1946. Despite this rarity, rabies remains a major health concern in other parts of the world, especially in regions with a high population of stray animals. Infectious diseases expert Katharine Cartwright, who spoke at the inquest, emphasized that by the time Ford began showing symptoms, there was no medical intervention that could have changed the outcome.

Family Statement

Ford’s daughter, Robyn Thomson, shared a heartfelt message on social media, detailing the devastating impact her mother’s illness had on their family. She described how Ford’s condition began with a severe headache and quickly progressed to neurological impairments that affected her ability to walk, talk, sleep, and swallow. The rapid decline in her health led to her death just days after receiving the diagnosis of rabies.

Medical Recommendations

• Immediate medical evaluation after any bite or scratch from an unknown or stray animal.
• Administration of the rabies vaccine and post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the infection from progressing.
• Awareness of the symptoms of rabies, which may include hallucinations, confusion, and difficulty with basic functions such as walking and swallowing.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Yvonne Ford highlights the importance of prompt medical attention following any injury from an animal, especially when the animal's vaccination status is unknown. Rabies, although rare in the United Kingdom, remains a fatal disease once symptoms appear, and this case underscores the need for awareness and preventive measures when traveling abroad, particularly in regions where rabies is more common.

Ford’s case serves as a reminder to seek immediate medical care after exposure to stray animals and to follow appropriate vaccination protocols to prevent the spread of rabies and other infectious diseases.

Sources:

• People – Grandmother Who Died from Rabies After Being Scratched by Stray Dog Learned She Had the Virus Just Days Before Her Death
• ITV News – Inquest told Yvonne Ford rabies diagnosis after dog scratch only came following psychiatrist visit
• Sky News – Grandmother died from rabies after scratch from stray dog, inquest hears
• Grandmother Who Died from Rabies After Being Scratched by Stray Dog Learned She Had the Virus Just Days Before Her Death