squirrel pox

Squirrel Pox

By Aimee Childress

What Is Squirrel Pox?

Squirrel Pox aka Squirrel Fibroma

Viral disease that produces tumors on the

skin of grey & fox squirrels.

In most cases it is fatal but squirrels can

recover from it.

Grey squirrels are naturally immune to the

virus but it is carried in their blood.

Causes & Effects

Tumors are caused by a virus but more

specifically transmitted from insects.

No obvious signs of illness.

Mainly affects juveniles.

Tumors can be found all over the body and

vary in size from a few millimeters to 25

millimeters in diameter.

Lesions can be circular, red or abscessed.

Causes & Effects(continued)

Can cause squirrels to become weak, less active, and eventually die.

Treatments and Facts

There is no cure for this virus but it can be

treated.

Currently the best way to control the disease is

separate grey squirrels or reduce their

population.

It’s one of the main causes of decline in Red

Squirrel population in the United Kingdom.

Not transmissible to humans.

Questions?