Experts confirm new case of Squirrelpox in Dollar Glen, Scotland.
Residents in the north of Scotland are being urged to be vigilant following a newly confirmed case of squirrelpox.
The warning comes after wildlife experts confirmed the fatal disease in the north of Scotland’s central belt for the second time in two years.
A post-mortem examination of a red squirrel found in Dollar Glenn, Clackmannanshire, conducted by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, confirmed the presence of the virus.
Video evidence has since captured further spread in the area, posing what experts call a “major threat” to Scotland’s most northerly red squirrels.
To help contain the outbreak, residents are being asked to record sightings of affected squirrels and temporarily remove garden feeders, which can enable the spread of the disease.
Liam Wilson, a veterinary pathology lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “This newly confirmed case in Dollar Glen indicates that squirrelpox has spread further north in Scotland.
“Images of other red squirrels from this area with similar facial lesions also raise concerns regarding a more widespread outbreak than the single case identified in March 2024, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and intervention.
“We are urging members of the public to submit any suspected cases for post-mortem confirmation, as this will help strengthen surveillance and support efforts to limit the spread of squirrelpox in Dollar Glen and the surrounding areas.”
Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels, but it does not affect them. However, it can be fatal when passed to red squirrels. Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions in the face, particularly around the mouth and eyes.
The virus is rapidly lethal and can cause local populations to crash if left unmanaged.
Image (C) Karin Greevy/Shutterstock.com
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