Summary
Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old woman, died from rabies after being scratched by a stray puppy in Morocco. Initially, healthcare staff suspected Lyme disease due to her symptoms, which included hallucinations and disorientation. A psychiatrist later identified the possibility of rabies, leading to the correct diagnosis, but she eventually passed away as the condition reached an incurable stage.
Key Facts
- Yvonne Ford was scratched by a stray puppy in February 2025 while in Morocco.
- She did not seek immediate medical treatment as the scratch seemed minor.
- In June 2025, she showed severe symptoms like hallucinations and anxiety.
- Initially, doctors at Barnsley Hospital suspected Lyme disease.
- A psychiatrist suspected rabies after learning about Ford's travel history and the dog scratch.
- Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear.
- The rabies vaccine can prevent the disease if given promptly after exposure.
- Since 1946, there have been only 26 rabies cases in the UK.
- Yvonne Ford died at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital on June 11, 2025.
