Resistance to poxvirus observed in red squirrels at Formby, Lancashire, England
Some 10% of the red squirrels captured at the National Trust’s Red Squirrel Reserve at Formby, Lancashire in recent years have had antibodies to squirrelpox virus in their blood. Red squirrels at the Reserve were hit badly by an outbreak of pox in 2008, and the population has been recovering since then (BBC News) The recent studies carried out by the University of Liverpool show that at least some wild red squirrels can recover from infection but further work is required on whether there is sufficient protection in the population to prevent another outbreak.