Grandmother's Rabies Death After Moroccan Dog Scratch Revealed at Inquest
A grandmother tragically died from rabies four months after she was scratched by a stray dog during a family holiday in Morocco, a recent inquest has detailed. Yvonne Ford, aged 59, passed away in June 2025 after the incident occurred on a beach in February of that year.
Initial Response and Lack of Treatment
The inquest heard that Mrs. Ford cleaned the wound with a wet wipe after the dog scratched her, but she did not seek any immediate medical treatment. This decision proved fatal as rabies symptoms later developed, leading to her untimely death.
Diagnosis and Medical Investigation
Rabies was only diagnosed after Mrs. Ford was referred to a mental health team at Barnsley Hospital in June 2025. Psychiatrist Alexander Burns, who assessed her, became suspicious due to her neurological symptoms and travel history. He learned from her family about the dog bite in Morocco, which had not been previously known to the medical team.
Dr. Burns expressed concern that the diagnosis might be rabies, given the context of the stray dog bite and symptoms such as hallucinations, disorientation, and high anxiety. He noted that he had never encountered a rabies case before and conducted further research, confirming that all symptoms aligned with the disease.
Expert Testimony on Rabies
Infectious diseases expert Katharine Cartwright from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals testified at the inquest, explaining that rabies is a virus with a 100 percent fatality rate once symptoms appear. However, she emphasized that the vaccine is extremely effective and has eliminated the virus from the UK.
Dr. Cartwright added that post-exposure administration of the vaccine can be helpful if given before symptoms begin. She also highlighted that there have been only 26 cases of rabies in the UK since 1946, underscoring the rarity of such incidents in the country.
Outcome and Ongoing Proceedings
Mrs. Ford was transferred to an infectious disease unit at Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where she died on June 11, 2025. The inquest, involving a jury of nine women and two men, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding her death, shedding light on the critical importance of prompt medical attention after animal bites abroad.
