Alert: possible outbreak of squirrel pox disease in red squirrels in Cumbria
An unconfirmed case of a red squirrel with squirrelpox virus disease at Smardale Nature Reserve, Cumbria was reported by a Cumbria Wildlife Trust volunteer. The virus is carried by grey squirrels and the disease it causes in red squirrels is invariably fatal. Local people and volunteer groups are being asked to be vigilant and sterilise bird feeders where necessary (KentLive, The Westmorland Gazette)