News

Concern over disease in Irish red squirrels

Date Released: 13 December 2011

A red squirrel from Co. Wicklow has died from squirrel pox virus (SQPV). This is the first confirmed record of this virus in the Republic of Ireland. SQPV was confirmed earlier this year in Northern Ireland. The virus is carried by grey squirrels, who do not appear to suffer from it, but it is not clear why the disease is now turning up in Irish red squirrels. The disease is generally fatal to red squirrels and has been a significant factor in the decline of the red squirrel across England.

Red squirrels with SQPV rapidly develop myxomatosis type symptoms and die within a matter days. [Some photos of diseased animals can be viewed here for reference - warning: some of these images are disturbing: http://northernredsquirrels.org.uk/pox2.htm]. NPWS are asking people to keep their eyes open and send any records of diseased/dead red squirrels, together with details of location and a photo if possible, to natureconservation@environ.ie.

Although there are no records of SQPV infecting humans, members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead squirrels.