Woman holding a large fish in a net.
Share this @internewscast.com

THE family of British mum who died after being scratched by a stray puppy while on a holiday in Morocco have paid a heartbreaking tribute.

Yvonne Ford, a resident of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, inadvertently contracted rabies in February, although symptoms only appeared this month, according to her daughter.

Woman holding a large fish in a net.
Yvonne Ford died after catching rabies in MoroccoCredit: Facebook
Woman with elf on shoulder sitting on couch.
Yvonne was scratched by a puppy before contracting rabiesCredit: Facebook
Woman in white shorts and shirt celebrating.
A video shows her dancing weeks before her deathCredit: Facebook

Her death has led to an urgent warning from the UK Health and Security Agency today.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Yvonne’s daughter, Robyn Thomson, shared: “Two weeks ago, she began experiencing symptoms, starting with a headache, which progressed to her losing the ability to walk, talk, sleep, and swallow, leading to her passing.”

She went on to say: “She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February.

“At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn’t think much of it.”

Robyn mentioned: “Our family is still coming to terms with this unimaginable loss, but we feel it’s important to speak out in hopes of preventing this tragedy from happening to others.”

What rabies does to the body and how it’s treated

The infection is common worldwide but is predominantly found in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.

Some of the animals that are most likely to spread the disease are dogs, bats, foxes, skunks and raccoons.

Symptoms

After a bite or other rabies exposure, the virus can take weeks or months to start causing symptoms.

This timeframe is what doctors call the incubation period in which the virus is travelling through the body and to the brain.

Some of the most common symptoms of rabies include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Excess salivation
  • Muscle spasms
  • paralysis
  • mental confusion

The World Health Organization describes two main manifestations of the disease: furious rabies and paralytic rabies.

People or animals with furious rabies may appear agitated, become aggressive, and drool excessively, while other symptoms include hyperactivity, fear of water, and even fear of fresh air.

The symptoms of paralytic rabies, on the other hand, are more understated—typically causing gradual paralysis as a patient remains calm and lucid.

Treatment

If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal in an area with a risk of rabies you should immediately clean the wound with running water and soap for several minutes.

After this, you must disinfect the wound with an alcohol- or iodine-based disinfectant and apply a simple dressing.

After the wound is addressed, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and they will determine if you need a rabies vaccination or not.

Post-exposure treatment is nearly 100 per cent effective if it’s started before any symptoms of rabies appear.

Some cases will require immunoglobulin, which is administered into and around the wound.

This provides short-term protection if there is a significant chance of infection in the wound.

Treatment should ideally begin within a few hours of being bitten, but can be delayed up to 24 hours if needed.

In another post, she referred to her mum by the nickname “Bon” and said: “She was the heart of our family—strong, loving, and endlessly supportive.

“No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us.

“We are heartbroken, but also grateful for every moment we had with her.”

On Sunday, Robyn shared a clip of Yvonne dancing with two children “just under two weeks before we lost mum”.

It comes after the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a Brit had died, and said her close contacts “are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary”.

A statement added: “Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal.

“It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus.”

Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.

“If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.

“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case.

“Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”

Woman dancing in a public space with children.
Yvonne’s family have paid tributeCredit: Facebook
Woman wearing a white shirt and white shorts celebrating.
The mum fell ill months after being scratchedCredit: Facebook
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Police investigating death of Maine paddleboarder as a homicide after discovery of body

Maine Paddleboarder’s Death Now Being Investigated as a Homicide After Body is Found

UNION, Maine — Police in Maine are investigating the death of a…
Jake Paul's message to Ben Askren after his former opponent's health scare

Jake Paul Sends Message to Ben Askren Following Health Scare

Jake Paul is praising former opponent Ben Askren as “one of the…
Alan Dershowitz Drops Bombshells, Says There Is in Fact an Epstein Client List—and He Knows Who's on It

Alan Dershowitz Reveals Shocking News: Confirms the Existence of an Epstein Client List and Claims to Know Who’s Included

Many observers were left dissatisfied with the conclusions, as the department had…
Las Vegas woman describing shark attack in Florida.

Woman Attacked by Shark in Florida, Suffers Large ‘Barracuda-Sized Bite’ During Her First Visit

A VISITOR was severely injured when a shark bit her during her…
New England serial killer fears grip coastal town after paddleboarder’s ‘terrifying’ murder

Fear of New England serial killer looms over coastal town following paddleboarder’s ‘terrifying’ murder

A week after a paddleboarder from Maine was discovered murdered in a…
Shanna Gardner's onto jailhouse snitches, even murderers and human traffickers

Shanna Gardner Targets Informants in Jail, Including Killers and Human Traffickers

On May 23, Gardner’s legal team submitted a motion requesting a court…
Naperville news today: Centennial Beach closed amid death investigation at 500 West Jackson Avenue, park district says

Naperville Update: Centennial Beach Closure During Investigation of Incident at 500 West Jackson Avenue, Reports Park District

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A west suburban beach is closed to the…
Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, expected to plead guilty in Chicago court Friday

Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’, anticipated to enter a guilty plea in Chicago court this Friday

CHICAGO (WLS) — The son of convicted Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El…
Aaron Judge’s game-ending sac fly leads Yankees to stunning comeback win over Mariners

Aaron Judge’s Sacrifice Fly Seals Yankees’ Thrilling Comeback Victory Against Mariners

The Yankees avoided being on the wrong side of history and then…
Aryna Sabalenka recalls testy Wimbledon exchange with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka Reflects on Tense Wimbledon Moment with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka is expanding on her perspective following a tense moment Thursday…
Man wrestling a crocodile.

Outrage as Influencer Colton Macaulay Recklessly Confronts Dangerous Crocodile in Viral Stunt

THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc,…
Close-up of Maria Shalaeva.

Putin Official Accused of Using $100M Military Jets to Fly Young Mistress Amid Kremlin Scandal

A SEX scandal has shaken the Kremlin as a high-ranking Putin official…