Family Shares Tragic Story of Rabies Death to Raise Awareness

A family is mourning the loss of Yvonne Ford, who succumbed to rabies after being scratched by a stray puppy during a holiday in Morocco. The 59-year-old from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, showed no immediate symptoms following the incident. However, four months later, she developed severe headaches and was eventually diagnosed with rabies before her tragic passing.

During her holiday, while relaxing on a sun lounger, Ms. Ford was scratched by the puppy. At the time, neither she nor her husband, Ron Ford, considered it necessary to seek medical attention, especially since the scratch did not leave a mark. The couple even travelled to Florida in May, unaware of the impending health crisis.

Upon returning to the UK on May 23, Ms. Ford began experiencing intense headaches, which worsened significantly. Her daughter, Robyn Ford, recounted that the family went on a fishing trip shortly after their return. By this point, Yvonne had started to exhibit alarming symptoms, including an inability to sleep. When Mr. Ford took her to the emergency department, she was still able to walk and talk.

Tragically, within five days, Ms. Ford’s condition deteriorated drastically. She lost the ability to walk, talk, and swallow, developed a fear of water, and began hallucinating. Doctors placed her in a coma after she started choking on her saliva. It was during this time that she received the devastating diagnosis of rabies.

Following the diagnosis, the family faced the heart-wrenching news that her life support would need to be switched off. Robyn expressed her desire to raise awareness about rabies to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. She has initiated a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise £4,000 to support efforts by Mission Rabies, a charity run by Worldwide Veterinary Service. The organization focuses on mass dog vaccination campaigns across Asia and Africa, with a goal to vaccinate at least 70% of dogs to achieve herd immunity against rabies.

As of now, the campaign has raised nearly £2,500. Robyn emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “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.”

Rabies is almost eradicated in the UK but remains a risk in parts of Asia and Africa, often transmitted through scratches or bites from infected animals. The virus can remain dormant for one to three months, and once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal.

Dr. Nighat Arif appeared on ITV’s This Morning to discuss the importance of rabies vaccination for travelers. She advised that anyone who experiences a scratch should clean the wound with soap and water immediately, as the virus can also be transmitted through contact with saliva.

The Ford family is determined to spread their message about the importance of seeking medical attention for even minor animal interactions. Adam Ford, Yvonne’s son, urged viewers to take precautions: “We don’t want people to go through what we’ve gone through. If we can get the awareness out, just check, check, check, contact your doctor. Get the injections. That’s all we want.”

Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers associated with rabies and the critical need for awareness and preventive measures.