Yvonne Ford, a grandmother from the UK, tragically passed away after contracting rabies from a puppy scratch during her visit to Morocco in February. The 59-year-old only fell ill two weeks before her death, starting with a headache and leading to severe symptoms that ultimately proved fatal.

Yvonne Ford's family revealed that she was scratched 'very slightly' by a puppy while in Morocco earlier this year. Her symptoms began two weeks before her passing, initially manifesting as a headache and progressing to the point where she lost the ability to walk, talk, sleep, and swallow.

Sheffield Coroner's Court confirmed her death on 11 June, with Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust diagnosing her with rabies. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, took to social media to raise awareness about the dangers of animal bites, urging people to take them seriously, vaccinate their pets, and educate others.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) assured the public that there is no risk of rabies transmission between people in the country. However, as a precaution, health workers and close contacts are being assessed for vaccination if necessary.

Rabies is a deadly virus typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, often through bites. While animals like cows, cats, and foxes can carry the virus, stray dogs in developing countries are the primary source of rabies transmission to humans.

Early symptoms of rabies can mimic the flu, while later stages may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing, and excessive saliva. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.

Dr. Katherine Russell from the UKHSA emphasized the importance of seeking medical advice promptly after being bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal in a rabies-endemic region. While human-to-human transmission of rabies is extremely rare, preventive measures are crucial.

Rabies is not present in wild or domestic animals in the UK, with the exception of certain bat species carrying a rabies-like virus. Human cases of rabies from animals other than bats have not been reported in the UK since 1902.

Travellers are advised to avoid contact with animals and consider getting a rabies vaccine before visiting regions where rabies is prevalent, particularly in Asia and Africa.