A woman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire has died after contracting rabies, reportedly from a minor scratch by a stray puppy during a holiday in Morocco.

Yvonne Ford, 59, came into contact with the animal while visiting the North African country in February, according to a statement shared by her family on social media and reported by the Press Association.

Her daughter, Robyn Thomson, said the family is struggling to cope with the sudden loss. In a heartfelt Facebook tribute, she revealed that her mother had only been lightly scratched and did not believe it was serious at the time.

"She didn’t think much of it," Robyn wrote. "But two weeks ago, she began to feel unwell, starting with a headache. Her condition worsened rapidly she lost the ability to walk, talk, sleep, and even swallow. She passed away soon after."

Ford was first diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital after returning to the UK. She was later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where she died on June 11. An inquest into her death has been opened in Sheffield.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that there is no risk to the wider public, as there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of rabies. However, healthcare workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered precautionary rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. Symptoms typically develop between three and 12 weeks after exposure, though they can also appear in just a few days or remain dormant for months. Early signs include tingling or numbness at the site of the bite or scratch, hallucinations, intense anxiety, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and sometimes paralysis. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, prompt treatment after exposure can stop the virus from progressing.

The NHS urges anyone who has been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal while abroad — especially on the eyes, nose, mouth or on broken skin — to seek urgent medical help, even if the injury seems small.

In her emotional post, Robyn Thomson warned others about taking such injuries lightly. "We never imagined something like this could happen to someone we love," she wrote. "Please treat all animal bites as serious, vaccinate your pets, and help spread awareness."

According to the UKHSA, there have been six confirmed cases of human rabies in the UK related to animal contact abroad between 2000 and 2024. The disease remains more common in parts of Asia and Africa, and travelers are strongly advised to avoid interaction with unfamiliar animals in those regions.

The agency also recommends speaking with a healthcare provider to assess the need for a rabies vaccine before travelling to high-risk areas.

Jane McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that Ford had received specialist care. “Our thoughts are with the family during this heartbreaking time,” she said, adding that no further information would be shared in order to respect the family’s privacy.