BREAKING: Brit mum who died of rabies after being scratched by stray puppy on holiday is pictured

A British mum who died from rabies after being scratched "very slightly" by a puppy in Morocco has been named and pictured.

Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, was diagnosed in Yorkshire and The Humber after returning home from the trip and developing mild symptoms that eventually worsened, resulting in her losing her ability to walk, talk and swallow. Her devastated loved-ones wrote in a post on : "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."

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Travellers are now being warned by the UKHSA to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries due to the risk of catching the disease. Rabies is nearly always fatal, and is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. Exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease, but only if given promptly after exposure to the virus.

Yvonne's daughter Robyn, who announced her mother's passing on Facebook, also issued a warning about rabies, stressing that the disease is always fatal once symptoms appear - and can be caught from even a minor scratch or bite. In a list tited 'What You Should Know About Rabies', Robyn said:

• Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear.
• It is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure.
• Even a minor scratch or bite from an infected animal—wild or domestic—can transmit the virus.
• If you are ever bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis vacines can save your life.

She continued: "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."

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