Squirrelpox virus

Squirrelpox virus
This red squirrel's mouth is showing the first signs of potential "Squirrelpox virus" infection
This red squirrel's mouth is showing the first signs of potential Squirrelpox virus infection
Virus classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Varidnaviria
Kingdom: Bamfordvirae
Phylum: Nucleocytoviricota
Class: Pokkesviricetes
Order: Chitovirales
Family: Poxviridae
Genus: unassigned
Species:
Squirrelpox virus
Synonyms[1]
  • Squirrel parapoxvirus
  • Squirrel poxvirus

Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) is a virus that causes the fatal disease squirrelpox in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland red squirrels. The virus is often carried by grey squirrels from North America,[2] which rarely die from the disease. Elsewhere in the Red Squirrel's European range, either the grey squirrel does not occur or it lacks the poxvirus.

  1. ^ "ICTV Taxonomy history: Squirrelpox virus". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Wildlife Disease Association -". pinnacle-secure.allenpress.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.