A woman from Barnsley, UK, has died from rabies after being scratched by a stray dog during a holiday in Morocco. Yvonne Ford, 59, was scratched by the dog in February 2025 while it was under her sun lounger on a beach, according to reports from UK public health authorities and her family.
Public Health England (PHE) confirmed the case in a statement, noting the rarity of such infections in the UK, where the disease has been eradicated in animals. The agency stated that the risk to the wider public is extremely low. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but is preventable with prompt post-exposure prophylaxis.
Ford's family described her rapid deterioration after symptoms began as "traumatic." They have urged holidaymakers to seek immediate medical advice for any animal bites or scratches abroad, especially in countries where rabies is present in animals. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reiterated this travel health advice following the incident.
