Squirrelpox virus is a disease that is fatal to red squirrels, the origins has been confirmed as being the United States. It was first confirmed in East Anglia in the 1980s and outbreaks of the disease are onging in Cumbria and Northumberland. At the moment there are about 11 onging pox outbreaks in the north of Cumbria and Northumberland.

iSquirrelpox virus is now acknowledged as being the primary threat to red squirrel survival. Scotland saw its first confirmed case of squirrelpox virus in red squirrels in May 2007 when 4 red squirrels near Lockerbie were confirmed to have died from the virus. The second confirmed outbreak is currently at Drumlanrig (Queensberry Estate) in Dumfrieshire. Intensive control on the Queensberry Estate is being conducted to contain this outbreak based on the protocol that was developed to successfully confine the Lockerbie outbreak in 2007.

Fortuanately the squirrelpox virus has not yet been reported in Fife, but we must remain aware of its presence, and take measures to prevent it reaching our squirrels. Squirrelpox causes skin ulcers, lesions and scabs with swelling and discharge around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitalia; squirrels generally become increasingly lethargic as the disease progresses.

It has been found that the squirrelpox virus is endemic (prevalent) in some grey squirrel populations, but is not detrimental. It seems likely that grey squirrels act as a reservoir host (carrier) for the virus, which if passed on to red squirrels, results in death of the infected red squirrel within a fortnight.