Briton diagnosed with rabies after psychiatrist raised fears, inquest told
Yvonne Ford, who died after scratch from dog in Morocco, was referred to mental health expert by perplexed medics
TL;DR
- Yvonne Ford died of rabies in the UK after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco.
- She initially did not seek medical treatment for the wound.
- Her symptoms were only diagnosed as rabies after a psychiatrist assessed her due to difficulties in diagnosis by other medical staff.
- Rabies is a virus transmitted through saliva that causes brain inflammation and can mimic mental health problems.
- There have been only 26 confirmed cases of rabies in the UK since 1946, but it is fatal once symptoms show.
- Post-exposure vaccinations can be effective if administered before symptoms appear.
- Ford's family is raising awareness and has become involved with rabies prevention charities.