Squirrelpox Virus in Wales

April 7, 2023

Red squirrels are one of Britain’s most iconic species, and yet, they are under threat from a virus that causes a fatal disease known as squirrelpox. The virus is thought to have originated in North America and was accidentally introduced to the UK by grey squirrels. It is a major threat to the red squirrel population in Wales, where numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.

The Virus and Its Carrier

Grey squirrels are the usual carriers of SQPV (Squirrelpox virus), and although they are immune to the disease, they can still spread the virus to red squirrels through physical contact or contaminated food sources.

Anecdotal Evidence of Resistance

Despite the devastating effects of the virus, there is some good news. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some red squirrels have developed resistance to squirrelpox. In Cumbria, there have been reports of healthy red squirrels with antibodies to the virus, which indicates that they have survived an infection and built up immunity.

Impact of Squirrelpox on Red Squirrels

Squirrelpox has a mortality rate of 100% for untreated infected squirrels in the wild, and infected squirrels typically die within four to five days. The virus causes cuts, blisters, and growths on the skin, which can be painful and debilitating for the squirrels. Once infected, red squirrels can take up to three weeks to die.

Efforts to Protect Red Squirrels

There have been calls for the Welsh government to fund vaccine research to protect red squirrels from squirrelpox. A petition signed by nearly 11,000 people was submitted to the government, but so far, no action has been taken. Despite this, there are still efforts being made to protect red squirrels in Wales.

Restoring Red Squirrels in Ceredigion

A project is underway to restore red squirrels in Ceredigion, where numbers remain small. The project involves trapping grey squirrels and replacing them with red squirrels in the hope that the red squirrel population will grow. However, this project is only one of many, and more work needs to be done to protect red squirrels in other parts of Wales.

Biggest Threat to Red Squirrels in Wales

Squirrelpox is the biggest threat facing native red squirrels in Wales, and yet, there has been no successful programme to cull all the grey squirrels on the mainland to protect the red squirrels. It has proved almost impossible to repeat the success seen on Anglesey, where a cull of grey squirrels was successful in protecting red squirrels from the virus.

Tourism and the Red Squirrel

Red squirrels are a popular tourist attraction in Wales, and tourism to see the squirrels is estimated to be worth about £1m annually. However, the decline in the red squirrel population due to squirrelpox threatens the tourism industry, and more needs to be done to protect this vulnerable species.

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