health
March 3, 2026
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.
Continue reading the original article