"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
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"BAC" wrote in message
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"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
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"Walt" wrote in message
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Squirrel pox is said to have been carried over the border by grey
squirrels migrating north from Cumbria.

Red squirrels with the virus will suffer skin ulcers, lesions and
scabs, with swelling and discharge around the eyes, mouth, feet and
genitals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4093856.stm

Will it cross the species barrier?

And, more importantly, will the grey squirrels suffer the same fate?


Not unless the virus mutates into a form which is far more deadly to
them.

Let us pray that it will mutate!


It's pretty certain it will mutate, or evolve, but not so certain that the
mutated form would be one more lethal to what seems to be the main host
species.