Warning issued after two potential cases of deadly squirrel virus reported in Scots town
Residents across Stirling are being asked to remain vigilant and take preventative measures if they see sick squirrels after the Scottish Wildlife Trust received two reports of the deadly squirrelpox virus in Bridge of Allan.Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a registered charity under the Scottish Wildlife Trust, says that it has received two reports from members of the public in the town.
The residents had spotted squirrels which appeared to be lethargic and sick near Mine Wood, in Bridge of Allan.Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is now urging people living locally to take precautions over the potential outbreak of the virus.Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels - which are not native to Scotland - which does not affect them but can be rapidly lethal when passed to red squirrels.
Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions on the face, paws and genitalia, all of which can prevent reds from eating, drinking or moving.
As a result, it is usually fatal within two weeks and an outbreak can cause local populations to crash.The first known outbreak of squirrelpox in Scotland occurred in 2007, near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, and since then the disease has arisen in various red squirrel populations across south Scotland.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk
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