Latest news with #RobynThomson
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
British woman dies from rabies after puppy scratch
A British woman has died from rabies after she was "scratched" by a puppy in Morocco, her family said. Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, had light contact with the stray dog while on holiday in February in the North African country. In a social media post, reported by the Press Association, Mrs Ford's family said she developed a headache two weeks ago and later couldn't "walk, talk, sleep, swallow". The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there was no risk to the wider public due to no documented evidence of rabies passing between people. Mrs Ford was diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK, the hospital trust confirmed, and was later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. She died on 11 June, with an inquest into her death opened in Sheffield earlier. In the Facebook post, her daughter Robyn Thomson said the family "is still processing this unimaginable loss". "She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February," she wrote. "At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it. She continued: "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." Close contacts of Mrs Ford and health workers were being assessed and offered vaccinations when necessary as a precaution, a UKHSA spokesperson added. Rabies is a virus that causes an infection of the brain and nervous system in humans Symptoms of rabies usually take three to 12 weeks to appear - but they can appear after a few days or not for several months or years Symptoms include numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched, hallucinations, feeling very anxious or energetic, difficulty swallowing or breathing and paralysis It is nearly always fatal when symptoms appear, but post-exposure treatment is "very effective" at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus The NHS website also advises people to seek medical help immediately if they have been bitten or scratched, or if they have been licked on the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound by an animal abroad Source: World Health Organization/NHS/UKHSA Ms Thomson added: "We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. "Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you." Six cases of human rabies connected to animal exposure abroad were reported in the UK between 2000 and 2024. Rabies is particularly common in Asia and Africa, the UKHSA said, with people visiting affected countries advised to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever they can. The agency also advised people to seek advice about the need for a rabies vaccine before travel. Jane McNicholas, chief medical officer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We can confirm that we provided specialist care for a patient who had contracted rabies whilst abroad and who has now sadly died. "Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time and out of respect for their privacy we will not be providing any further information." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. NHS
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Patients snarl like dogs': The horrifying reality of dying from rabies - as Yorkshire grandmother dies from disease
Health chiefs today sounded the alarm after a British woman died of rabies, contracting the fatal disease from a scratch by a stray puppy in Morocco. Grandmother Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, became ill two weeks ago and steadily deteriorated until her death this week. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, 32, a neo-natal nurse, paid tribute to her mother—known as 'Bon'—in a moving post, and urged others to treat even the tiniest scratch with caution. Rabies, which is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal, is nearly always fatal. After an infection, the symptoms can take up to a year to appear. But when they do appear, the disease is a swift and brutal killer. Most patients die in a few days. Research has even suggested people can lose 'bodily control and rationality', with historical records showing some who contracted rabies from dog bites 'snarled like dogs' and 'barked'. Here MailOnline reveals exactly how the dangerous illness takes hold. Initial symptoms may appear similar to the flu, with later signs including a fever, headache, nausea, agitation, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. But as it travels through the nerves and spinal cord up to the brain—through the central nervous system— inflammation of the brain or brain swelling, develops. Jeanna Giese, now 35, is the first person known to have survived rabies without receiving the rabies vaccine—a feat considered impossible before her case in 2004. She was bitten by a bat at the age of 15, before suddenly developing symptoms three weeks later. Speaking to the Guardian in 2023, she said: 'I started feeling unbelievably tired. 'A few days after that, I could not get out of bed, had double vision and was vomiting uncontrollably. Soon I became unresponsive.' It was only by receiving a novel treatment called the Milwaukee Protocol, that she survived. This involved doctors putting her into an induced coma to suppress brain function and prevent the deadly build-up of inflammation by giving her antiviral drugs. After two weeks she was taken out of the coma and spent the following two years in recovery where she learned to walk and talk again. Others, however, have not been so lucky and suffer hallucinations or even paralysis once the virus takes hold. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), paralytic rabies accounts for around a fifth of all human cases. Muscles gradually become paralysed, starting at the site of the bite or scratch. A coma slowly develops and eventually death occurs. Last year, Brazilian health officials also reported that a man had died from rabies after the disease left him with fatal brain inflammation. The 56-year-old was bitten by a monkey and three weeks later began to experience vomiting, drooling and fainting. Within a week, he was diagnosed with encephalitis—meaning his brain had swelled and despite treatment, died a fortnight later. Writing in The Conversation, one Canadian historian also told how patients with rabies historically also lost 'bodily control and rationality'. Professor Jessica Wang, an expert in US history at the University of British Columbia, said 19th century newspapers 'frequently described those who contracted rabies from dog bites as barking and snarling like dogs, while cat-bite victims scratched and spat'. Hallucinations, 'respiratory spasms and out-of-control convulsions' were also common symptoms recorded, she added. It comes as UK health officials today revealed a British woman has died of rabies after contracting the fatal disease in a scratch from a stray puppy in Morocco. In a separate Facebook post, her daughter Robyn Thomson said: '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. 'Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford's wife and our Mum, died of rabies. 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. '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 added: 'We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you. '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. Rest peacefully, Bon. You'll always be with us.' It is understood Ms Ford was diagnosed with the disease at Barnsley Hospital. An inquest into her death opened this morning at 9am at Sheffield Coroners' Court, which her daughter attended. It has since been adjourned. There have been less than 10 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK since 2000. However, the UKHSA today stressed there was 'no risk to the wider public' given there is 'no documented evidence of rabies passing between people'. The last death caused by rabies in a UK animal—other than bats—was in 1902. Dog licensing, euthanasia of stray dog and quarantining were credited with killing off the virus. Western Europe is now considered low risk for the disease by the WHO, while countries in Eastern Europe are listed as 'moderate risk' and African and Middle Eastern countries are 'high risk'. Popular tourist destinations like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Turkey all carry a high risk of dogs transmitting rabies to people. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses, at the 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.' Today, it is possible to save a patient who has contracted rabies if they can begin treatment before the virus enters their immune system. The course of treatment for rabies is four doses of the vaccination for rabies and human rabies immunoglobulin (antibodies) applied over a 21-day period. The last recorded rabies death in the UK was in 2018, when Omar Zouhri, a 58-year-old kebab shop worker, was bitten by a cat while visiting family in Mehdya, Morocco. An inquest in Oxford heard that Mr Zouhri had contracted rabies on August 31 2018, but it was not until as late as October 28 that 'the die was cast' when he started to report symptoms of 'furious rabies'. This included itching, pain and muscle twitches—which showed the virus had already entered his central nervous system, rendering treatment ineffective. Mr Zouhri, from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, died in hospital in Oxford on November 4, 2018.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Grandmother dies from rabies after ‘very slight scratch' from puppy in Morocco
The family of a grandmother who died after contracting rabies said she was scratched 'very slightly' by a puppy while visiting Morocco in February. Yvonne Ford's family said she only became ill two weeks ago, starting with a headache and resulting in her becoming unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow. Ms Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died in Sheffield on June 11 aged 59, according to Sheffield Coroner's Court, where an inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday morning. Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed she was diagnosed with rabies at Barnsley Hospital. A Facebook post which her daughter Robyn Thomson made to raise awareness said: '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. 'Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford's wife and our Mum, died of rabies. '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. '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.' Ms Thomson shared information about rabies, including that it is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure. She added: 'We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you.' The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary. Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus but, in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis. Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at the 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.' According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa. Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine prior to travel.
Sky News
10 hours ago
- Health
- Sky News
British woman dies from rabies - as family speak out to 'prevent this happening to others'
A British grandmother has died after contracting rabies from a "slight scratch" from a puppy during a holiday in Morocco, her family has said. Yvonne Ford's daughter said she travelled to the North African country in February but did not become ill until two weeks ago. Robyn Thomson said in a Facebook post: "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. "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. "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." Ms Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the virus at Barnsley Hospital. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said health workers and close contacts were being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary. It said there was no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be transmitted between people. What is rabies and how is it treated? Rabies is caused by a virus invading the central nervous system. It is spread by mammals - such as cats, dogs, bats, raccoons and foxes - but in the UK it's only found in some bats, according to the NHS. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The first symptoms can mirror a flu, while later symptoms include numbness or tingling in the affected area, hallucinations, anxiety, difficulty swallowing or breathing, nausea, vomiting, agitation, excessive saliva and paralysis. But if seen to promptly after a bite, scratch or lick by an animal that may carry the virus, treatment is usually very effective at preventing the condition. Treatment usually involves two or more doses of the rabies vaccine or a medicine called rabies immunoglobulin, which is a liquid administered to the wound and is only required if the patient has not had the rabies vaccine or has a weakened immune system. The rabies vaccine is recommended if you're travelling to a part of the world where rabies is more common. Around 60,000 people die every year from rabies worldwide, with the majority in Africa and Asia, according to the WHO. Dr Katherine Russell at the 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." The UKHSA urges travellers to rabies-affected countries, for example in Asia and Africa, to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible and check whether a vaccination is needed before travelling. There have been six cases of human rabies associated with animal exposure abroad that have been reported in the UK between 2000 and 2024. This includes a case in 2012, when a UK resident died after being bitten by a dog - the most common source of infection in most parts of the world - in South Asia. The latest case was in 2018, when another Briton died after being bitten by a cat in Morocco. Latest World Health Organisation figures show a number of deaths from rabies in Morocco have been reported every year from 2010 to 2022. Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Grandmother dies from rabies after ‘very slight scratch' from puppy in Morocco
The family of a grandmother who died after contracting rabies said she was scratched 'very slightly' by a puppy while visiting Morocco in February. Yvonne Ford's family said she only became ill two weeks ago, starting with a headache and resulting in her becoming unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow. Ms Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died in Sheffield on June 11 aged 59, according to Sheffield Coroner's Court, where an inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday morning. Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed she was diagnosed with rabies at Barnsley Hospital. A Facebook post which her daughter Robyn Thomson made to raise awareness said: '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. 'Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford's wife and our Mum, died of rabies. '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. '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.' A person from the UK has sadly died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a dog abroad. There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case.📰🔗 — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 18, 2025 Ms Thomson shared information about rabies, including that it is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure. She added: 'We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you.' The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary. Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus but, in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. If you're travelling to a country where rabies is present, it's worth knowing how to reduce your risk – read our blog post for more info.🔗 — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 18, 2025 The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis. Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at the 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.' According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa. Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine prior to travel.
