Summary
A coroner is recommending changes in how quickly rabies cases must be reported after a woman, Yvonne Ford, died from rabies contracted from a dog scratch in Morocco. The disease was not diagnosed until late, as rabies is very rare in the UK, and her symptoms were initially interpreted as other health issues. The coroner plans to urge the government to review the current 21-day disease notification period.
Key Facts
- Yvonne Ford died from rabies after being scratched by a dog in Morocco.
- The UK rarely sees rabies, which led to diagnosing challenges.
- Rabies symptoms that appear generally mean the disease is fatal.
- Ford's diagnosis only came after a psychiatrist inquired about her travel history.
- Rabies in the UK is very rare, with only 26 cases reported since 1946.
- Coroner Marilyn Whittle will ask the government to reassess the 21-day notification period for diseases like rabies.
- Ford's family was not initially worried about the dog scratch as it did not bleed and was cleaned immediately.
- Her symptoms began in May and included headaches, nausea, and disorientation.
