Woman dies of rabies after puppy scratch in Morocco

A British woman has died from rabies four months after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco.

- ANDY GREGORY, JANE DALTON

Yvonne Ford came into contact with the dog in February but gradually became more unwell over the past two weeks, first developing a headache, before she was left unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow.

Her family have now appealed to holidaymakers to protect themselves against the disease. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, said: "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." Ford, 59, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, thought nothing of it when she was scratched on a trip to north Africa, Ms Thomson said. She wrote on Facebook: "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." Ford died in Sheffield last Wednesday, according to Sheffield Coroner's Court, where an inquest was opened and adjourned a week later. Ms Thomson wrote that her mother was "the heart of our family strong, loving and endlessly supportive".