Archive Northumberland

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 2009

Squirrelpox Virus - Down, but Not Out

After a huge spate of squirrelpox virus cases between October 2007 and October 2008 throughout southern and central parts of Northumberland, Save our Squirrels was getting very concerned for the future of red squirrels in this county.

However, since October 2008, all has been very quiet on the squirrelpox front in Northumberland.  There have been a few scares, including one in June in Guyzance, but the results have come back as negative from the laboratory. 

The Save our Squirrels Team are not sure why this has happened.

Is it that fewer ill or dead red squirrels are being found and sent away for post-mortem?  Did the cold winter kill off the virus?  Is the threat of squirrelpox on the decline?  Or is it something to do with the natural flux in squirrel populations as a result of food availability.

The SoS Team feel that the last theory may have some merit.  In 2006 and 2007 the berry and seed crops on trees were excellent, providing a superb harvest for red squirrels and their grey cousins.  As a result, the populations of both squirrel species would have increased and the population would have been quite high in 2008. 

A high population of squirrels in an area increases the chances of squirrels coming into contact with each other and therefore passing on the squirrelpox virus.  It would also increase the likelihood of grey squirrels migrating to new areas, potentially taking the virus with them.  So we get a greater number of ill and dead red squirrels being found, especially in areas where the virus has not been seen before.

2008, as I am sure you remember, was a very wet year and had a poor late summer and autumn seed and berry crop.  This resulted in a poor harvest for the squirrels.  The last winter was also very cold and the combination of little food and cold weather would have resulted in a decrease in population sizes for both red and grey squirrels.  Fewer squirrels in an area means that the squirrels are less likely to come into contact with each other and the spread of the squirrelpox virus is also reduced.

This theory, however, is currently speculation and we do not know the actual reason for no confirmed pox cases in 8months.  We do know that it does not mean the threat of squirrelpox virus has gone.  The threat is still very real and we still need everyone to keep an eye on their local squirrels and all the reds that they see to ensure that no signs of pox are found.  It is still very important to send dead reds away for post mortem, even if it appears that they have died from a road accident. 

For more details on what to do with a dead or ill red squirrel, click here.

For more information about the squirrelpox virus, click here.

August to Oct 08

Pox Reaches New Areas

Squirrelpox virus is a continuing risk throughout Northumberland and a concerted effort is required to try and control. Squirrelpox was confirmed in many new areas over the past year, including: Swarland, Bellingham, Brinkburn on the Coquet, Gosforth Park Nature Reserve, Wark, Wallington, Sidwood and Woolsington.

This virus is carried by the non-native grey squirrel and if it is passed on to a red, the red squirrel will die within two weeks. First signs are lethargy and poor coordination. These are soon followed by swelling and sores on the eyes, nose, mouth, paws and ears.

If you see red squirrels with these signs anywhere in Northumberland, please contact us on 0845 347 9375 immediately. If you find a dead red squirrel, you can help us learn more about squirrelpox and other diseases by sending it away for post-mortem - contact us for further details on how to do this. Find out more about the squirrelpox virus here.

Control of grey squirrels is vital to preventing the spread of this disease; again contact us if you would like to help.

Special Talks: 

Squirrelpox - what are the chances for the survival of the red squirrel in the UK?.  by Dr. Colin J. McInnes, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh.    24th October 7.00pm at the Percy Building. Newcastle University. Lecture theatre: Room G5.  For further information and to book, please tel: Stuart Will at the Natural History Society of Northumbria: 0191 232 6386

Viral infections diagnosed in the red squirrel by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) by David Everest from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Weybridge, the first organisation to identify squirrelpox virus in 1981.  27th October, 3.30pm at Stannington Village Hall.

January to March 2008

Squirrelpox in East Northumberland
We have had recent cases of squirrelpox in the Swarland area and in Gosforth Park Nature Reserve. Please keep your eyes open for grey squirrels and sick looking red squirrels in these areas. If you see them, please ring our hotline - 0845 347 9375.

Thank You Treberva Farm in Herefordshire
For the kind donation of cobnuts - they are feeding red squirrels throughout the North of England.

Thank you also to Lescost Transport Ltd of Gateshead
who kindly provided free transport for the cobnuts from Herefordshire to Gosforth.

October to December 2007

Squirrelpox Virus near Bellingham
It was not good news for Christmas when we found out that the squirrelpox virus was confirmed from a dead red squirrel found in Hesleyside Woods.   A number of greys had been sighted around Hesleyside Woods and Bellingham in the autumn and local action resulted in most of these greys being quickly dispatched.

Hesleyside woods is very close to Kielder Forest - England's largest population of red squirrels.  As we are learning from Sefton, the best way to reduce the spread of the squirrelpox virus is through local action. You can help by:

a) reporting grey squirrels to SoS and they will be promptly dispatched by local grey coordinators.

b) looking out for sick red squirrels in your neighbourhood. (See the article below for pox symptoms and what to do.)

c) keep bird and squirrel feeders clean - remove old food, droppings and dirt; scrub the feeder and disinfect with a pet-safe disinfectant such as Trigene or Virkon S.

Squirrelpox virus outbreak in Northumberland (November 2007)
Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) has been confirmed in Wallington, Belsay and Fourstones in the last week. Several dead squirrels had been reported in these areas and sent away for post-mortem examination. Due to abundance of tree seeds, and high populations at the end of the breeding season, there has been a recent increase in grey squirrel activity and dispersal. Please be vigilant for both grey squirrels and any signs of sick red squirrels. Early symptoms of SQPV include poor coordination, lethargy and disorientation, with ulceration and lesions developing around the eyes, nose, mouth, paws, and genitals. Red squirrels infected with SQPV are likely to die within 2 weeks if not treated.

Sadly, although the sick squirrels can be treated, they are very vulnerable to secondary infections and stress. It is vital that sick squirrels are removed from the population as soon as possible to reduce the risk of spreading the disease further.

If you suspect a squirrel is suffering from the pox, please try to catch it and take it to your nearest vet as soon as possible. Local action can really help red squirrels.  Please contact us on 0845 3479375 for further help and advice, and to report any sick red squirrels, or grey sightings.