FAQ: Are red squirrels developing immunity to the squirrelpox virus?
Reports that red squirrels are developing immunity to the squirrelpox virus stem from a few rare instances where antibodies have been found to be present during post-mortems. Despite the presence of squirrelpox antibodies, the symptoms caused through contraction of the virus was still enough to result in the animal’s death indicating that the antibodies do not take effect quickly enough. We cannot put our faith in evolution and wait for the red squirrel as a species to develop effective antibodies to the squirrelpox virus as by that point it could be too late.
At this time, working to contain the virus in south Scotland along with the prevention of grey squirrel spread in the south and key areas of north Scotland is the only solution in the short-term to help red squirrels survive.
Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS), the sister project of SSRS, is working there to contain the virus. For more information, visit the official RSSS website at www.red-squirrels.org.uk.
