Rabies victim's deterioration was 'traumatic'

Rabies victim's deterioration was 'traumatic' 49 minutes ago Share Save Share Save The family of a grandmother who died from rabies have told an inquest they were determined her death would "not be without meaning". Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, died four months after she was scratched by a stray dog she startled under her sun lounger on a beach during a holiday in Morocco last February. An inquest in Sheffield has heard she was admitted to Barnsley Hospital after becoming ill in June, where her condition deteriorated before a psychiatrist spotted she might have rabies. In a statement read to the hearing, her daughter Robyn Thomson said they wanted to prevent another family "from enduring this trauma, loss and devastation". Thomson said it was vital the public were made aware that they must seek urgent medical advice if they were scratched or bitten by an animal abroad. She described her as a "loving, active and devoted family woman" who was a "fantastic wife", a "wonderful mother" and an "exceptional grandmother" to her four grandchildren. Speaking on behalf of the wider family, Thomson added: "We are determined that Yvonne's death will not be without meaning." Thomson said her mother was scratched last year on 12 February but it was "very minor with no evident bleeding." The jury has been told how Ford went to Barnsley Hospital on 2 June with a range of symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, mobility issues and disorientation. She was admitted a day later as her condition deteriorated but doctors struggled to work out what was wrong with her. Rabies was only diagnosed after a psychiatrist asked about Ford's travel history when he was called in by medical colleagues who were concerned that symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation and high levels of anxiety could have a mental health cause. Ford was then transferred to an infectious disease unit at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital where she died. Thomson explained to the jury how family and st...