Rabies death could change disease notification period

Rabies death could change disease notification period 44 minutes ago Share Save Phil Bodmer Sheffield Medico-Legal Centre Share Save A coroner is calling for changes to the travel history patients must provide to doctors, following the death of a woman from rabies. Yvonne Ford, 59, died four months after contracting the fatal disease when she was scratched by a puppy in Morocco in February 2025. Ford, from Barnsley, went to hospital in June with symptoms, including severe headaches, nausea, and mobility issues, but was only diagnosed when a psychiatrist asked about her travel history. After jurors returned a narrative conclusion stating the rarity of the disease led to difficulties with her diagnosis, coroner Marilyn Whittle said she would write to the government urging a review of the current 21 day notification period. The inquest in Sheffield had heard that medics at Barnsley Hospital had struggled to diagnose Ford's condition because of a lack of exposure to rabies cases - which are extremely rare in the UK - and it was initially suspected she may have Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, or be experiencing a mental health episode. Her family were eventually asked about her travel history, and information from her husband Ronald about the dog scratch led doctors to investigate rabies. She died at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, and an expert told the hearing that the disease is always fatal once symptoms have developed. Whittle indicated that she would seek further information before making a Prevention of Future Deaths order. Earlier the jury was told that Ford and her family were not concerned about the dog scratch at the time because it did not draw blood, and she cleaned the cut with a wet wipe. Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, said it was vital the public knew to seek urgent treatment if scratched or bitten by an animal abroad, as only immediate medical attention can prevent the disease developing. Ford went to hospital on 2 June complaining of severe headaches,...