By Dayo Ade Olusola
M10News Health & Global Affairs Desk
A British grandmother has died after contracting rabies from a puppy scratch sustained during a holiday in Morocco, her daughter has revealed.
Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, became gravely ill weeks after returning home from the North African country in February. Her daughter, Robyn Thompson, 32, shared an emotional tribute, urging the public to take animal bites abroad seriously.
“My mum was the heart of our family – strong, loving and endlessly supportive,” Thompson said. “No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us.”
A Tragic Turn From Innocent Scratch to Fatal Illness
According to Robyn, her mother was scratched by a stray puppy while on holiday, but had initially dismissed the incident as harmless.
“At the time, she didn’t think any harm would come of it,” Robyn said. “Two weeks ago, she began to feel unwell. It started with a headache, and it progressed rapidly – she lost her ability to walk, talk, sleep, and swallow.”
Despite receiving emergency medical care, Yvonne succumbed to the virus earlier this week.
Health Officials Investigating Contacts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that there is no risk to the wider public. However, health authorities are tracing and assessing anyone who may have come into close contact with Yvonne during her illness.
Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections at UKHSA, said: “If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is present, wash the wound immediately with plenty of soap and water and seek urgent medical advice to obtain post-exposure treatment.”
Daughter’s Plea: Educate and Vaccinate
In a heartfelt message to others, Robyn urged travellers to be cautious around animals while abroad and to ensure pets are vaccinated.
“Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets and educate those around you,” she said. “We never imagined something like this could happen to someone we love.”
She also posted a touching video of her mother filmed just two weeks ago, showing Yvonne dancing playfully with younger relatives. “Rest peacefully, Bon. You’ll always be with us,” she wrote.
Rare But Deadly: Rabies in the UK
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that the disease causes tens of thousands of deaths each year, with dogs responsible for 99% of transmissions. Most cases occur in Asia and Africa.
The last recorded rabies death of a UK national was in 2018. Omar Zouhri, 58, died after being bitten by a rabid cat in Morocco. Before that, David McRae, a bat conservationist, died in 2002 after being bitten during a bat-handling exercise in Scotland.
Although rabies is no longer endemic in the UK, it remains a serious threat in many countries. British travellers are advised to consult travel health clinics and follow Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance before visiting areas where rabies is present.
Published by M10News Health & Global Affairs Desk
© 2025 M10News.com | All rights reserved|18 June 2025
