THE family of British mum who died after being scratched by a stray puppy while on a holiday in Morocco have paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, unknowingly in February – before falling ill this month, her daughter says.
Her death has led to an urgent warning from the UK Health and Security Agency today.
Yvonne’s daughter Robyn Thomson said in a Facebook post on Tuesday: “Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing.”;
She went on to say: “She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February.
“At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn’t think much of it.”;
Robyn added: “Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others.”;
In another post, she referred to her mum by the nickname “Bon”; and said: “She was the heart of our family—strong, loving, and endlessly supportive.
“No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us.
“We are heartbroken, but also grateful for every moment we had with her.”;
On Sunday, Robyn shared a clip of Yvonne dancing with two children “just under two weeks before we lost mum”;.
It comes after the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a Brit had died, and said her close contacts “are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary”;.
A statement added: “Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal.
“It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus.”;
Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.
“If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.
“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case.
“Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”;
