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SUMMARY:Squirrelpox virus: will the red squirrel survive in the UK into th
 e 22nd century? - Dr Colin J McInnes\, Principal Research Virologist\, Mor
 edun Research Institute\, Edinburgh
DTSTART:20080430T153000Z
DTEND:20080430T163000Z
UID:TALK10955@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Laurence Tiley
DESCRIPTION:The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is native to Europe\, but 
 in the UK it is being threatened by the spread of the alien grey squirrel 
 (Sciurus carolinensis). Since its introduction to the UK from the USA in t
 he mid 19th century the grey squirrel has relentlessly increased its range
  at the expense of the red squirrel such that at the present time red squi
 rrels are found only in isolated populations in England and Wales with the
  vast majority (70%) of the remaining UK population being found in Scotlan
 d. Although competition clearly plays a role in the replacement of the red
  squirrels by the grey squirrels\, in areas where the grey squirrels are k
 nown to be carrying a virus known as squirrelpox virus red squirrels are e
 stimated to disappear much faster than in areas where the grey squirrels d
 o not carry the virus. \n\nInfected grey squirrels show no obvious patholo
 gical symptoms whereas infected red squirrels rapidly succumb to a disease
  characterised by scabby erythematous lesions on exposed surfaces of skin.
  It is not obvious how the virus is transmitted within the grey squirrels 
 or indeed from the grey squirrels to the red squirrels.\n\nOur current und
 erstanding of the virus and its relationship to other poxviruses will be d
 iscussed together with our views on the chances for survival of the red sq
 uirrel within the UK\, outlining the strategies currently being undertaken
  for the conservation of this iconic British species.\n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre 1\, Department of Veterinary Medicine
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