A 59-year-old British woman has passed away after contracting rabies from what appeared to be an innocuous scratch by a stray puppy while on holiday in Morocco last year. The case is the UK's first travel-acquired rabies death since 2018 and prompted urgent reminders about the dangers of animal contact overseas by health officials.
The Barnsley woman, Yvonne Ford, was scratched by a stray puppy in February 2025. Thinking it was only a minor cut, she didn't have it treated immediately. But weeks later, in early June, she started suffering from serious neurological symptoms such as headache, paralysis, and the inability to speak, swallow, or sleep.
Even hospitalization and medical treatment in the UK could not save Ford, who died on June 11 due to the infection. Rabies is a viral infection that is nearly always terminal once symptoms appear but is completely preventable if treated quickly after exposure.
There is no risk to the general public, but all who may have had contact with Ford including medical staff are being offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a precaution, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states. PEP involves a course of rabies vaccines, which, if given early, are almost 100% effective at preventing the disease.
"These are tragic circumstances and a stark reminder of the risks of rabies in some regions of the world," added UKHSA's Dr. Katherine Russell. "If you have been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal from a place where rabies exists, it's crucial to wash the wound thoroughly and get immediate medical attention." she added.
Rabies is prevalent in most countries in Asia and Africa, including Morocco. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals by bites or scratches. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that rabies kills about 59,000 people annually across the world, and 99% of human cases are caused by dog exposure.
Yvonne Ford’s case mirrors a similar tragedy from 2018, when another British citizen died after being bitten by a rabid cat in Morocco. All rabies deaths in the UK since 2000 have involved infections acquired while traveling overseas.
Health officials are advising travelers to rabies-endemic areas to keep away from stray or unknown animals. In some instances, particularly for individuals staying in rural areas for prolonged periods or working intensely with animals,pre-exposure vaccination is advisable prior to travel.
They also emphasize that even the slightest wounds, such as a scratch, can be lethal if they are not treated. Travellers are advised to clean any animal-related wound at once with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes and immediately get urgent medical attention for examination and potential rabies vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals:
Keep your distance from wildlife and stray dogs or cats, whether at home or abroad
In the U.S. rabies is rare, but it remains widespread elsewhere; always check whether dogs or wildlife carry rabies at your destination.
Vaccinate pets regularly:
Ensure household pets stay up to date on rabies shots
Many countries require imported dogs to be vaccinated and microchipped.
Clean wounds immediately:
Any bite or scratch from an animal, even a minor one, should be washed thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water.
Vaccination: Pre-exposure
Recommended for those working with animals or traveling to regions with limited medical care.
Usually a 2-dose series, under CDC’s ACIP guidelines, simplified from the older 3-dose method.
After exposure: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Clean the wound thoroughly
Administer human rabies immune globulin
Start the rabies vaccine series (4 doses over 14 days for those previously unvaccinated, 2 doses for those previously vaccinated).
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
The Barnsley woman, Yvonne Ford, was scratched by a stray puppy in February 2025. Thinking it was only a minor cut, she didn't have it treated immediately. But weeks later, in early June, she started suffering from serious neurological symptoms such as headache, paralysis, and the inability to speak, swallow, or sleep.
Even hospitalization and medical treatment in the UK could not save Ford, who died on June 11 due to the infection. Rabies is a viral infection that is nearly always terminal once symptoms appear but is completely preventable if treated quickly after exposure.
There is no risk to the general public, but all who may have had contact with Ford including medical staff are being offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a precaution, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states. PEP involves a course of rabies vaccines, which, if given early, are almost 100% effective at preventing the disease.
"These are tragic circumstances and a stark reminder of the risks of rabies in some regions of the world," added UKHSA's Dr. Katherine Russell. "If you have been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal from a place where rabies exists, it's crucial to wash the wound thoroughly and get immediate medical attention." she added.
Rabies is prevalent in most countries in Asia and Africa, including Morocco. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals by bites or scratches. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that rabies kills about 59,000 people annually across the world, and 99% of human cases are caused by dog exposure.
Yvonne Ford’s case mirrors a similar tragedy from 2018, when another British citizen died after being bitten by a rabid cat in Morocco. All rabies deaths in the UK since 2000 have involved infections acquired while traveling overseas.
Health officials are advising travelers to rabies-endemic areas to keep away from stray or unknown animals. In some instances, particularly for individuals staying in rural areas for prolonged periods or working intensely with animals,pre-exposure vaccination is advisable prior to travel.
They also emphasize that even the slightest wounds, such as a scratch, can be lethal if they are not treated. Travellers are advised to clean any animal-related wound at once with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes and immediately get urgent medical attention for examination and potential rabies vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals:
Keep your distance from wildlife and stray dogs or cats, whether at home or abroad
In the U.S. rabies is rare, but it remains widespread elsewhere; always check whether dogs or wildlife carry rabies at your destination.
Vaccinate pets regularly:
Ensure household pets stay up to date on rabies shots
Many countries require imported dogs to be vaccinated and microchipped.
Clean wounds immediately:
Any bite or scratch from an animal, even a minor one, should be washed thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water.
Vaccination: Pre-exposure
Recommended for those working with animals or traveling to regions with limited medical care.
Usually a 2-dose series, under CDC’s ACIP guidelines, simplified from the older 3-dose method.
After exposure: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Clean the wound thoroughly
Administer human rabies immune globulin
Start the rabies vaccine series (4 doses over 14 days for those previously unvaccinated, 2 doses for those previously vaccinated).
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
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