Squirrels on Brownsea Island found to have leprosy

Red Squirrel

In 2014, red squirrels in Scotland were found to have a form of leprosy. Research in other areas has recently shown that leprosy is also present amongst the red squirrel population on Brownsea Island off the south coast of Britain, and Edinburgh University is to conduct a study to find out how the disease is spread, as little is known about this, and to learn how to control this spread. The disease causes swelling and loss of hair on ears, muzzle and feet and is affecting the population although the most serious threat remains the squirrel pox virus, carried by the grey squirrel.