Animal charity keeps an eye on signs of deadly squirrel virus

Friday 07 April 2023

The JSPCA says it is “remaining vigilant” for symptoms of a deadly virus which has been wiping out populations of red squirrels in the UK.

The squirrel population in one region of Wales reduced by 80% in one winter as a result of squirrel pox, and there are now calls for a vaccine to protect the woodland creatures.

Fortunately, the virus has so far been unable to spread to Jersey as it is usually carried by grey squirrels.

“However, viruses can change behaviour over time and there is always the possibility the virus could mutate in a way that means it could be carried by another species,” warned Joanne McAllister, a Senior Veterinary Surgeon at the JSPCA.

“So we remain vigilant to clinical signs in the casualty squirrels that come into the JSPCA.”

Pictured: A squirrel previously nursed back to health by the JSPCA.

Squirrel pox is fatal to red squirrels. When infected, they develop skin lesions, ulcers and scabs. It is spread by grey squirrels, who carry the virus without being affected.

There are no grey squirrels in Jersey - naturalists brought red squirrels to the island in the 19th century, but grey squirrels were never imported.

In Jersey, red squirrels could be safe from the virus – as long as grey squirrels stay out of the island.

“Hopefully, the fact that we are an island and can keep greys out means pox won’t arrive in Jersey,” McAllister said.

A study published in 2018 found no squirrel pox on the island – but half of squirrel deaths were caused by road traffic accidents.

One disease in the study looked similar to squirrel pox, with skin lesions but was not as devastating to squirrel populations.

“There was however a fatal skin condition identified that can look like squirrel pox but seems to be a bacterial infection,” McAllister said.

“Whilst this is fatal, we do not see it frequently and so does not seem to have an effect on the overall squirrel population in the way squirrel pox would.”

Nina Cornish, Environment Manager (Biodiversity), said: “I can confirm Jersey does not currently have Squirrel Pox. All casualties, sick or injured red squirrels are taken into the JSPCA. Squirrels are screened for several diseases that affect them. To date there have been no confirmed cases of squirrel pox"