"Walt" wrote in message
...
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?

Alan


Walt.
.

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Walt" wrote in message
...
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.
After all, if the existing virus had a similarly lethal effect on greys as
it did on reds, the greys would have been dying off in droves for the past
twenty years, and probably not spreading north to pass it on to the reds.

"BAC" wrote in message
...

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Walt" wrote in message
...
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!

Alan

After all, if the existing virus had a similarly lethal effect on greys as
it did on reds, the greys would have been dying off in droves for the past
twenty years, and probably not spreading north to pass it on to the reds.

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"BAC" wrote in message
...

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Walt" wrote in message
...
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.

The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

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


No.

--
Rusty
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk
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"Rusty Hinge 2" wrote in message
k...
The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

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


No.

That's right, cheer us all up!

Alan


--
Rusty
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk
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The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

"Rusty Hinge 2" wrote in message
k...
The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

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


No.

That's right, cheer us all up!


What will I make pies from?

--
Rusty
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk
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"Rusty Hinge 2" wrote in message
k...
The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

"Rusty Hinge 2" wrote in message
k...
The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

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


No.

That's right, cheer us all up!


What will I make pies from?

I'm told you can eat the greys, but I've never found one wth enough meat on
to make it worthwhile trying.

Alan


--
Rusty
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk
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The message
from "Alan Holmes" contains these words:

What will I make pies from?

I'm told you can eat the greys, but I've never found one wth enough meat on
to make it worthwhile trying.


They're very good - but you need several for a decent pie.

--
Rusty
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk
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