A case of squirrelpox has been confirmed in the village of Kirkbean on the Solway Coast, according to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS).<\/p>\n
A post-mortem examination was carried out on a dead red squirrel which was found in a garden at the end of October.<\/p>\n
The results confirm that the rodent was infected with the highly contagious virus, which is often carried by grey squirrels but is deadly only to reds.<\/p>\n
SSRS has urged local residents to remove garden feeders until the end of the month, and to be very vigilant for sick or dead red squirrels.<\/p>\n
The first known squirrelpox outbreak in Scotland occurred in 2007 near Lockerbie and since then the disease has arisen in various red squirrel populations across the south of the country.<\/p>\n
The first death of a red squirrel north of Scotland’s central belt was confirmed in Dunfermline last year following a post-mortem examination.<\/p>\n
Two possible cases were reported near Stirling earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions on the face, paws and genitalia, all of which can prevent reds from eating, drinking or moving.<\/p>\n
It is usually fatal within two weeks and an outbreak can cause a substantial reduction in local populations of reds.<\/p>\n