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Bat captured carrying rabies virus

The virus was the same strain that resulted in the first UK death from rabies in 100 years.

06 July 2009 18:36 GMT

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Bat captured carrying rabies virus

A bat captured in Perthshire has been discovered to carry the same rabies virus that killed a Scottish artist in 2002.

The Daubenton bat was captured at a feeding area in Perthshire.

It was detected as part of a monitoring programme by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Wildlife artist David McRae from Angus became the first person in the UK to die of rabies in 100 years after being bitten on the hand.

McRae was found to have exposed to the EBLV-2 infection and passed away in Ninewells hospital in Dundee after his condition deteriorated.

SNH officers have now warned the public not to handle any bats they encounter, but to instead contact the Scottish SPCA.
 

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