Rabies tests prove negative

David McRae, a 56-year-old conservationist from Angus, was bitten by a bat.

Doctors said the animal lover and artist, from Guthrie, in Angus, has been showing symptoms of a strain of rabies called European Bat Lyssavirus (EBL), which can be carried by bats.

NHS Tayside said primary tests results from a government laboratory showed no trace of the killer infection but Mr McRae's symptoms continue to indicate rabies.

However, officials stressed that there are many more tests which have been carried out and further results will be forthcoming over the next week.

Drew Walker, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health, said: "It is important to stress again that this is not a confirmed case of rabies and that lab test results to date have proved negative.

"The patient's clinical symptoms and all available circumstantial evidence however continue to point to the possibility of rabies.

"By themselves, these interim lab results reduce the probability of rabies.

"However, it is recognised that negative lab test results do not allow us to rule out rabies, and so we cannot change our working diagnosis."

Mr Walker said doctors would await further tests but until then "it continues to be prudent and sensible" to treat the case as rabies and carry on with public health measures in place.

Doctors announced on Tuesday that Mr McRae, a well known bat lover and artist, is being treated at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. His partner, Carol Rigby, is at his bedside.

Mr McRae has been a bat worker for many years and was known to have been bitten on at least one occasion.

However, both health officials and conservation experts have stressed that the chances of rabies infection are extremely rare and said there is no risk to the general public.

They stressed that only people who work with bats are at any risk and they have vaccination procedures in place.

Neighbours in the hamlet of Guthrie spoke of their shock after discovering that he was critically ill in hospital.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "We couldn't believe it when we heard. It just doesn't seem real in this day and age.

"He keeps himself pretty much to himself but we know that he is really into working with bats and doing conservation work."

Mr McRae has combined his love of art and animals and his work has been showcased on the Gatley Gallery website.

An NHS Helpline 0800 783 5066 - has been set up in Tayside to offer reassurance and advice.