A 68-year-old British grandmother, Yvonne Ford, has died after contracting rabies while on holiday in Morocco. Her daughter said she was scratched by a puppy during a trip to the North African country in February and didn’t show symptoms until two weeks ago.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging travelers to take precautions when visiting countries where rabies is prevalent, such as Asia and Africa. They advise avoiding contact with dogs, cats, and other animals whenever possible and checking if a vaccination is needed before traveling.
There have been six reported cases of human rabies associated with animal exposure abroad in the UK between 2000 and 2024. The latest case highlights the importance of taking precautions when traveling to countries where rabies is common.
Yvonne’s family is speaking out to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents from happening to others. “She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco,” her daughter said. “We’re choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others.”
The UKHSA says there is no risk of rabies transmission between people, but it emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal in a country where rabies is present.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/person-dies-in-yorkshire-from-rabies-after-contact-with-stray-dog-while-on-holiday-in-morocco-13382055