Barnsley rabies victim "suspected to have Lyme disease" - inquest
BBC World
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old grandmother from Barnsley, died four months after being scratched by a stray puppy in Morocco during her holiday. Initially treating the minor injury herself with a wet wipe, she did not seek medical attention until her condition worsened, presenting symptoms such as hallucinations, disorientation, and severe anxiety. When she was admitted to Barnsley Hospital, staff struggled to diagnose her, leading them to refer her to a mental health team. It wasn’t until a psychiatrist, Dr. Alexander Burns, questioned her family about foreign travel that the dog scratch incident was revealed. This prompted concerns of rabies, which was later confirmed as the cause of her death.
Dr. Katharine Cartwright, an infectious diseases expert, testified that rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms develop and can take up to three months to manifest after exposure. Ford’s case highlights the challenges of diagnosing rabies early, as it can mimic other conditions like mental health issues or Lyme disease. The inquest revealed that Ford was eventually transferred to Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where she died on June 11, 2023. Dr. Cartwright explained that while the rabies vaccine is highly effective, delays in treatment after exposure can be fatal.
The case underscores the importance of considering travel history and unusual symptoms when diagnosing rare diseases like rabies. The jury heard that Ford’s symptoms, including mild hydrophobia (fear of water), were initially misinterpreted as mental health
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 3/3/2026