The discovery of a strain of rabies in the UK has raised fears for the health of Lancashire's bats.
The EBLV-2 strain has only been isolated in six UK bats since 1996 - including one in Lancashire.
The Health Protection Agency has advised that if anybody is bitten by a bat the wound should be cleaned immediately and they should seek medical advice. But the risk of humans being infected is negiligible if treatment if received quickly.
The infected bat was discovered by a member of the public in a Surrey park.
Efforts to find anyone who may have had contact with the bat are under way.
Anyone finding a sick or ailing bat should not approach it but seek help from the Bar Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 1300 228.
The discovery of the bat does not affect the UK's rabies-free animal health status under international guidelines.
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