Hospital Struggled to Diagnose Fatal Rabies in Yorkshire Woman, Inquest Told
An inquest has revealed that a grandmother from Yorkshire died from rabies after being scratched by a stray dog on a beach in Morocco, with medical staff initially failing to identify the deadly infection.
Yvonne Ford sustained the minor injury in February 2025 while on holiday. She did not seek immediate medical treatment, instead cleaning the scratch with a wet wipe. Four months later, back home in Yorkshire, Ms Ford developed severe symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation, and intense anxiety, leading to her admission to Barnsley Hospital.
Psychiatrist's Intervention Key to Diagnosis
Staff on the short stay ward at Barnsley Hospital struggled to make a diagnosis, prompting the involvement of a psychiatrist, Dr Alexander Burns. It was only after Ms Ford's husband disclosed the history of the dog scratch that Dr Burns suspected rabies, a rare but fatal disease in the UK.
Ms Ford was subsequently transferred to an infectious disease unit in Sheffield, where she tragically died on 11 June 2025. The inquest into her death is expected to continue until Thursday, examining the circumstances and response to her illness.
Family Issues Warning After Hidden Symptoms
In a related development, Ms Ford's family has issued a warning, highlighting how rabies symptoms can remain hidden for months, as in this case. They urge greater awareness of the risks associated with animal bites or scratches abroad, especially in regions where rabies is more prevalent.
This incident underscores the challenges in diagnosing rare infectious diseases in non-endemic areas like the UK, where rabies cases are extremely uncommon. Medical professionals may not initially consider such conditions, leading to delays in treatment that can prove fatal.
The inquest continues to investigate the timeline of events and the medical handling of Ms Ford's case, with potential implications for public health protocols and travel advisories.
