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The tragic death of Yvonne Ford, who contracted rabies after being scratched by a puppy during a trip to Morocco, has prompted calls for changes in how patient travel histories are recorded by medical professionals. Ford, aged 59 and from Barnsley, began showing symptoms such as severe headaches, nausea, and difficulty with mobility several months after the incident, but her rare condition was not immediately identified. It was only when a psychiatrist inquired about her recent travel that her exposure to the disease was considered, leading to the eventual diagnosis.
During the subsequent inquest held in Sheffield, it emerged that doctors at Barnsley Hospital initially struggled with Ford’s diagnosis because rabies is exceptionally rare in the UK. Early suspicions included Lyme disease and mental health disorders before her family’s details about the dog scratch were taken into account. Despite efforts to treat her, Ford died at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. A specialist testified that rabies is invariably fatal once symptoms emerge. Coroner Marilyn Whittle, acknowledging the challenges posed by the disease’s rarity, indicated intentions to ask the government to review current reporting procedures and the 21-day notification timeframe.
Information heard during the inquest revealed that Ford and her family did not initially regard the scratch as serious since it did not break the skin deeply and was cleaned promptly. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, stressed the urgency of seeking immediate medical care following animal bites or scratches overseas to prevent the onset of rabies. In late May, Ford’s symptoms began, worsening by early June, leading her hospital admission. By the time of her death, she exhibited classic signs of rabies-related hydrophobia, including refusal to drink fluids despite efforts to provide hydration.
Further testimony included that a psychiatrist, Dr. Alexander Burns, had to learn about rabies symptoms during Ford’s evaluation as he had never encountered the disease before. Dr. Katherine Cartwright from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals informed jurors that only 26 cases have been recorded in the UK since 1946, highlighting the disease’s elimination from the country even though many other nations remain high risk. Ford’s family expressed their commitment to raising awareness about the dangers of rabies, sharing the emotional impact of losing a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. The coroner’s jury ultimately noted that while the disease’s rarity complicated diagnosis, this did not influence the fatal outcome. Barnsley Hospital acknowledged the unusual circumstances of the case and expressed condolences to Ford’s family, emphasizing that rabies infections of this nature are extremely rare in the UK
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