In a shocking incident, a 59-year-old woman from the UK died of rabies on June 11, months after being scratched by a stray puppy during a holiday in Morocco.
A Puppy Scratch Turned Fatal
Yvonne Ford, originally from South Yorkshire, had travelled to Morocco in February. During the trip, she was “slightly scratched” by a stray puppy—something she didn’t think much of at the time and believed wouldn’t cause any harm.
She reportedly started feeling unwell two weeks ago and passed away on June 11.
The incident came to light after her daughter, Robyn Thomson, shared a post on Facebook describing what had happened.
Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing.Robyn Thomson, Yvonne Ford's Daughter
Reports say Yvonne was diagnosed with rabies at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK, and was later transferred to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. An investigation into the case is still ongoing.
What Is Rabies, And Can a Scratch Really Kill
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that spreads through the saliva of infected animals, most often via bites. But even a minor scratch from an infected wild or domestic animal can transmit the virus.
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. That’s why immediate medical attention and post-exposure vaccination are critical, even if the wound seems harmless.
In most cases, symptoms take 3 to 12 weeks to appear, as seen here, where the scratch happened in February, but signs only began in early June. In some rare cases, symptoms can show up within days or even take several months or years.
Early signs often resemble the flu—fever, headache, fatigue—but the disease can quickly progress to confusion, hallucinations, numbness or tingling at the scratch site, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, or paralysis.
Why It Matters
Rabies is a deadly disease, and many people are still unaware of how dangerous even minor exposures can be. This case highlights the importance of seeking urgent care after any contact with stray or wild animals.
“Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss,” she wrote, “but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others.”
Reference:
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Rabies.” Mayo Clinic. Published June 13, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)