Family Shares Heartbreaking Story After Mother’s Rabies Death

A family is raising awareness about the dangers of rabies following the tragic death of their mother, Yvonne Ford, who contracted the virus after a stray dog scratched her while on holiday in Morocco. The 59-year-old from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, experienced severe symptoms that developed months after the initial incident, leading to her untimely death.

While relaxing on a sun lounger, Ford was scratched by the puppy. Initially, she thought nothing of it. However, four months later, she began to suffer from debilitating headaches and was admitted to Barnsley Hospital. Her condition rapidly deteriorated; within days, she was unable to walk, talk, or swallow, and she experienced hallucinations. Eventually, she was transferred to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where doctors diagnosed her with rabies. Tragically, she passed away shortly thereafter.

In an emotional interview on ITV’s This Morning on July 28, 2023, her husband, Ron Ford, recounted the painful journey of watching his wife decline. The couple had dismissed the scratch as insignificant, especially since it did not leave a visible mark. They even traveled to Florida shortly after the incident without seeking medical advice.

Robyn, their daughter, described the harrowing changes in her mother’s health. “She started to have a horrendous headache and was unable to sleep,” she said. When they took her to the emergency department, she was still able to walk and talk. But in just five days, her condition worsened dramatically.

Doctors placed Ms. Ford in a coma due to her choking on saliva, and the family was informed that life support would need to be turned off. Robyn expressed the family’s determination to prevent similar tragedies. She has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise awareness about rabies, which has raised almost £2,500 towards a target of £4,000. The funds will support initiatives by Mission Rabies, a charity run by Worldwide Veterinary Service, which conducts mass dog vaccination campaigns across Asia and Africa.

Rabies is nearly eradicated in the UK, but it remains a serious risk in parts of Asia and Africa. The virus can be transmitted through scratches or bites from infected animals, with symptoms often appearing one to three months after exposure. Once symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal.

Dr. Nighat Arif, a medical professional featured on the program, emphasized the importance of immediate action after a potential rabies exposure. “If you have a scratch, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water,” she advised. The virus can also be transmitted if an animal licks an open wound, so it is crucial to wash any part of the body that comes into contact with animals.

The Ford family’s message is clear: they want to prevent others from experiencing the pain they have endured. “We don’t want people to go through what we’ve gone through,” said Adam, Yvonne’s son. “If we can get the awareness out, just check, check, check, contact your doctor. Get the injections. That’s all we want.”

The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can encourage others to take rabies seriously and seek medical attention following any animal encounter.