Squirrelpox & Diseases
Squirrelpox virus
Squirrelpox virus is devastating for red squirrels. Grey squirrels carry and transmit squirrelpox but do not contract the virus. Squirrelpox outbreaks in red squirrels do not happen in areas without grey squirrels, e.g. northern Scotland.
Squirrelpox is almost always fatal to red squirrels. An outbreak can kill most or all of a local population. Research shows red squirrels die out 17-25 times faster through squirrelpox than by competition from grey squirrels alone.
Squirrelpox virus is resilient and can survive outside a host for a relatively long time. The virus is found in bodily fluids and is transmitted through physical contact, contaminated objects/areas and shared parasites.
Report any suspected sightings of squirrelpox infected red squirrels to your country organisation or local group as soon as possible. Clean and remove any feeders.
Squirrelpox symptoms
Infected red squirrels show similar signs to those seen in rabbits with myxomatosis:
- Ulcers, lesions and scabs around the face, feet and genitalia
- Pussy discharge from the ulcers, lesions and scabs
- Swelling
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Drinking large quantities of water
Infected individuals can take up to two weeks to die, often starving to death as they cannot feed themselves.
Take action
If you see an infected squirrel please report it as soon as possible to the local red squirrel group for that area. Sightings of grey squirrels in red squirrel areas should also be reported. See our volunteering page, under get involved, for links to groups across the UK.
People should not feed squirrels during squirrel pox outbreaks. Feeders can bring infected and healthy individuals into contact with each other, and increase the spread of the disease across the population. At all other times feeders should be cleaned regularly.
Other diseases
Adenovirus
Adenovirus produces lesions in the digestive tract and internal bleeding, which can be fatal. This is concerning to captive-bred red squirrels. Health screening checks must be carried out before they are released as part of reintroduction and reinforcement programmes.
Leprosy
Leprosy causes loss of hair and swelling in the face, ears, genitalia and feet – the skin can look warty. Red squirrels can live for long periods with leprosy. It takes a long time to progress. Symptoms are sometimes mistaken for squirrel pox lesions, but leprosy does not rapidly kill off large numbers.
Squirrel Ecology & Distribution
Learn where squirrel populations live and how to identify the types of squirrels in the United Kingdom.
Grey Squirrel Management
Learn how grey squirrel management helps protect UK forestry and the endangered red squirrel species.
Red Squirrel Conservation
Learn why red squirrels are classed as endangered in the UK and what’s being done to reverse the problem.
Tree Damage
Find out how Grey squirrels negatively impact the health of the UK’s trees and woods through bark stripping.