Rabies death: ‘Unusual presentation’ on Yorkshire woman Yvonne Ford affected diagnosis but ‘did not affect fatal outcome’
Difficulties in diagnosing rabies in a grandmother scratched by a dog on holiday did not influence the fatal outcome, a jury has found.
Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, died four months after she suffered a minor scratch when she startled a dog under her sun lounger on a Moroccan beach during a holiday in February last year.
He did not seek medical treatment at that time.
It was only on June 2, 2025, that Ms Ford went to Barnsley Hospital with a range of symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, mobility problems and disorientation.
He was hospitalized a day later after his condition worsened, but doctors had difficulty figuring out what the problem was.
Rabies was diagnosed only after a psychiatrist asked about Ms Ford’s travel history and was called by medical colleagues who were concerned that symptoms such as hallucinations, disorientation and high levels of anxiety might have a mental health cause.
The inquest heard the woman was transported to Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where she died on June 11 while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) alongside her family.
In a statement on Thursday, a jury of eight men and two women concluded: “The rarity of the disease and its unusual presentation made it difficult to reach a diagnosis, but this did not affect the outcome.”
Rabies is a virus that is 100% fatal once symptoms begin to appear, but can be prevented by vaccination, infectious diseases specialist Katharine Cartwright, of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, told the jury during the three-day inquest in Sheffield.
Post-exposure treatment may also be effective, but this must be done before symptoms begin.
Speaking outside court on Thursday, Mrs Ford’s son Adam Ford said: “In memory of our beloved mother, our family hope to raise awareness of rabies not only in the UK but around the world.
“Globally, rabies is responsible for approximately 59,000 deaths each year.
“Despite being preventable, this deadly disease continues to claim thousands of lives.
“As a family, we feel a deep responsibility to raise awareness about rabies in the hope that greater understanding can help prevent further tragedies.”
Mr Ford, flanked by his father Ron Ford and sister Robyn Thomson, said: “No family should have to witness a loved one deteriorate as quickly as we did, unknown responses to our mother’s symptoms and growing fear of her deterioration.
“Through increased awareness and education, we hope to ensure others are aware of the risks and know the steps they need to take to stay safe.
Mr Ford urged anyone bitten by an animal in a country where rabies is common to seek immediate medical attention, no matter how minor the wound.
He said: “We truly believe that our mother’s death could have been prevented if there had been more awareness and education about rabies.”
She added: “By sharing our mother’s story, we hope to help save lives and ensure fewer families experience the heartbreak ours endured.”
“Our mother was a loving mother, a loving wife and a wonderful grandmother.
“He was essentially the glue of our family, and he left a huge gap between our family and friends.”
Her sister, Miss Thomson, told the jury on Wednesday how family and staff had to wear gloves, masks, visors and aprons around her mother from the moment she was admitted to Sheffield until the moment she died.
Ms Thomson told the inquest that after a case of rabies was confirmed at the Royal Hallamshire, the family were told there was “no recovery possible and the only outcome would be fatal”.
He told the jury how they had to watch him deteriorate “in real time, without explanation and with increasing fear”.
Ms Thomson said the family had some concerns about the basic care her mother received at Barnsley, adding: “We do not believe Yvonne was treated with the level of dignity and respect she deserved.”
Dr Cartwright said rabies symptoms usually begin within four weeks of exposure, but can last up to three months and, in some cases, years.
He said Ms Ford began showing symptoms at the end of May and so nothing was done at Barnsley Hospital that could have saved her.
Dr Cartwright told the jury there had been only 26 cases of rabies in England since 1946.
Deputy Sheffield coroner Marylin Whittle said she needed more information before deciding whether a Prevention of Future Deaths Report was required in this case.
He said the family had concerns about Ms Ford’s care in Barnsley but these were unrelated to the fatal outcome.
Ms Whittle said one GP said he routinely asked a patient about travel history going back only 21 days and asked for more information about how this practice came about before deciding whether a report was needed.
A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our thoughts are with Yvonne’s family following the sad loss of a loved family member in such unusual circumstances.
“We welcome ongoing discussions with Yvonne’s family regarding all aspects of her care.”
