A woman passed away from rabies following a scratch by a stray dog while vacationing abroad, with the diagnosis occurring several months after the incident. Yvonne Ford, a British grandmother, succumbed to the disease four months after the minor scratch in February 2025. The 59-year-old startled the dog while on a beach in Morocco.

Yvonne, hailing from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, did not initially seek medical attention for the scratch and only sought help on June 2 at Barnsley Hospital due to various symptoms like severe headaches, nausea, mobility problems, and disorientation. Following a deterioration in her condition, a psychiatrist identified rabies by inquiring about her travel history.

She was subsequently transferred to Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital where she later passed away on June 11. A jury concluded that the rarity of the disease and atypical symptoms posed challenges in diagnosing it but did not impact the outcome. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Katharine Cartwright explained during the inquest that rabies is fatal once symptoms manifest but can be prevented with a vaccine.

Dr. Cartwright noted that Yvonne displayed symptoms towards the end of May, indicating that treatment at Barnsley Hospital would not have saved her. Yvonne’s daughter emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after animal scratches or bites to prevent similar tragedies. Describing her mother as a loving and active family woman, she highlighted the rapid deterioration and trauma experienced during her hospitalization.