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Ponteland Red Squirrels The Squirrel Pox Virus |
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THE SQUIRREL POX (FORMERLY KNOWN AS PARAPOX VIRUS) IS KNOWN AS 'THE RED KILLER'! OUR RED SQUIRRELS are in danger from this deadly virus! The Squirrel Pox virus is a disease that is fatal to red squirrels. It was first confirmed in East Anglia in the 1980s, and since then there have been confirmed cases in red squirrel populations in Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. The Squirrel Pox virus is one of the most significant factors in the decline of red squirrel populations in the UK. The Squirrel Pox virus is present in many grey squirrel populations, but does not cause death. However, the grey squirrels can pass the virus on to reds. Any red squirrel with Squirrel Pox typically dies within 15 days of contracting the virus. There are no red squirrels known to have immunity to this disease. Ponteland red squirrels
need your help now to help reduce the risk of the virus
spreading. Grey Squirrels carrying the virus have
recently been found in the Ponteland area. Therefore, it
is extremely important that all Grey Squirrel
sightings are reported to us immediately. |
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