UK Woman's Rabies Death After Dog Scratch in Morocco Revealed at Inquest
Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old woman from Barnsley, died in the UK after contracting rabies from a minor dog scratch during a holiday in Morocco, an inquest has heard. The tragic case underscores the deadly nature of the virus and the challenges in diagnosing rare diseases.
Initial Injury and Delayed Symptoms
In February, Ford was scratched by a puppy on a beach in Morocco but considered it a minor injury, cleaning it with a wet wipe and not seeking medical treatment. She returned to the UK with her family, where symptoms began to emerge months later, leading to her death on 11 June at Barnsley hospital.
Psychiatrist's Role in Diagnosis
Alexander Burns, a psychiatrist at Barnsley hospital, was called to assess Ford after colleagues struggled to diagnose her, initially suspecting a mental health issue due to symptoms like anxiety and hallucinations. Burns told the jury he only learned of the dog scratch from Ford's husband, as the short stay unit was unaware of it. This prompted him to research rabies, a disease he had never encountered before, and he concluded it explained all her neurological symptoms.
Rare Disease and Fatality Rate
Katharine Cartwright, an infectious diseases expert from Sheffield Teaching hospitals, informed the jury that rabies has a 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear, with only 26 confirmed cases in the UK since 1946. She emphasized that post-exposure vaccinations can prevent the disease if administered early, and vaccinating animals has been key to eradicating rabies in the UK.
Family's Awareness Campaign
Following Ford's death, her family has worked to raise global awareness about rabies. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, joined the charity Mission Rabies, helping immunize dogs in countries like Cambodia and Malawi. Thomson expressed a desire to turn the tragedy into a positive by aiding others in her mother's memory.
The inquest highlights the importance of prompt medical attention for animal injuries abroad and the critical role of vaccination in preventing such fatal outcomes.
