A BARNSLEY woman has died after becoming infected with rabies.

Following contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco, the woman was diagnosed at Barnsley Hospital, the Chronicle understands.

There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case as there is no documented evidence of rabies passing between people, a spokesperson from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

However, as a precautionary measure, health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary.

Rabies - which is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal - is nearly always fatal.

Between 2000 and 2024, there were just six cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK.

Dr Katherine Russell, from UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.

“If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.

“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case.

“Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission.”