David McRae contracted rabies from a bat bite in 2002

The animal carried European Bat Lyssavirus, which is closely linked to the classic rabies virus.

Three people are known to have handled the bat but all took precautions and are now receiving medical treatment.

The bat was found by a member of the public in Staines last month and tested at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey.

Bat bite

The EBLV virus is common in bats across Northern Europe but only two other cases had previously been discovered in the UK - one in 1996 and the most recent in 2002 when David McRae, from Angus, Scotland, died after contracting rabies from a bat bite.

Initial tests showed that the strain of virus in the new case was closely linked to the previous examples, according to the Health Protection Agency and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Confirmatory tests are now to be conducted and the incident is still being investigated.

'Seek advice'

In February, scientists found bats posed only a minor threat of passing rabies on to humans.

A study by the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage and Defra found it is rare to contract the killer disease from the mammals.

The report revealed just 2% of one species of bat - the Daubenton - could carry the rabies disease after antibodies were found in its blood.

Deaths from bat rabies are extremely rare and since 1977 there have been three deaths in Europe attributed to EBVL infections, including that of Mr McRae.

In Europe, between 1977 and 2003, more than 700 confirmed EBVL cases were found in animals - mainly in Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Spain and Germany.

A spokesman for Defra said anyone who found a sick or ailing bat should not approach or handle the animal but seek advice from the Bat Conservation Trust.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek medical attention.