A Puppy's Scratch, a Mother's Tragic Fate

A Tragic Story of Rabies and a Family's Determination

A British woman who died from rabies after being scratched by a puppy during a holiday in Morocco endured severe and heartbreaking symptoms, according to her daughter. Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, initially did not realize she had been infected when the incident occurred in February. She spent months without knowing that the scratch from a puppy under her sunbed could lead to such a devastating outcome.

Ford began experiencing a “horrendous” headache, which quickly escalated into more serious issues. Within days, she was unable to walk, talk, sleep, or swallow. She started hallucinating and developed a fear of water, which are classic signs of rabies. Her condition worsened rapidly, and she was eventually transferred to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield for treatment. Unfortunately, she passed away on June 11.

Robyn Thomson, Ford’s 32-year-old daughter and a neonatal nurse, shared her family’s experience. She explained that there was no visible blood or signs that the dog was unwell at the time of the scratch. “It was a mild scratch and it never got infected, so we didn’t think much of it,” she said. After returning home, everything seemed normal, and the family even went on a trip to Florida, where Ford joined her husband for fishing.

However, in June, the symptoms returned with a vengeance. “She came down with this horrendous headache,” Thomson recalled. The situation became dire as Ford struggled to swallow, choking on her own saliva. Doctors placed her in an induced coma to manage her condition.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued warnings about the risks of rabies for travelers visiting countries where the disease is prevalent. Destinations like Egypt, Turkey, and Albania are considered high-risk, as well as Costa Rica, Bali, Mexico, Vietnam, and South Africa. The agency advises visitors to avoid contact with animals and to seek medical advice regarding rabies vaccination before traveling.

It took a week for Ford to be diagnosed with rabies. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. “There’s only one outcome for rabies once symptoms develop, and it’s death every time,” Thomson said. “So we had to turn off her life support.”

Afterward, the family learned that rabies can have a long incubation period, sometimes taking several months or even up to two years before symptoms appear. This made the tragedy even more difficult to comprehend.

Ford was known for her kindness and love for animals, making her death from rabies especially painful for her family. “Mum was the most loving person imaginable. For her to have died of rabies, it’s just particularly horrendous,” Thomson added.

In the wake of this loss, Thomson is determined to make a difference. She plans to travel to Cambodia in October to volunteer with Mission Rabies, an organization dedicated to combating rabies through mass dog vaccination campaigns, surveillance, and community education. Their goal is to vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population to achieve herd immunity and prevent the spread of the disease.

Thomson is raising funds to cover the costs of her trip, including travel, accommodation, and project fees. “This is something I need to do,” she said. “If I can save even one life through this work, or spare one family from going through the pain we have experienced, then it will be turning a terrible negative into something positive.”

Her determination stems from a desire to transform her grief into action. “I’m determined to help vaccinate dogs, support surveillance efforts, and deliver life-saving lessons in schools.” Through her efforts, she hopes to prevent others from facing the same tragic fate that befell her mother.