A woman from South Yorkshire, Yvonne Ford, has tragically died from rabies after being scratched by a stray puppy while on holiday in Morocco in February.
According to her family, Ford didn’t think much of the incident at the time, but two weeks ago, she developed severe symptoms, including headaches, loss of mobility, speech, and ability to sleep and swallow.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that Ford’s death was due to rabies, but assured that there was no risk to the wider public. Close contacts and healthcare workers are being assessed and offered vaccinations as a precaution.
The UKHSA emphasizes the importance of taking animal bites and scratches seriously, especially in countries where rabies is common, such as in parts of Africa and Asia.
They advise people to seek medical attention immediately if they’re bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling and to consider getting vaccinated against rabies before traveling to high-risk areas.
