Discovery of a new variant of RusV causing staggering disease in a wild mountain lion in Colorado, USA.
- A wild mountain lion in Colorado was found with severe hind leg ataxia and paresis, leading to euthanasia for further investigation.
- Postmortem analysis revealed a nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with lymphocytic infiltrates in the brain and spinal cord.
- Metatranscriptome sequencing identified a novel rustrela virus (RusV) as the likely cause of the disease.
- RusV has been previously associated with staggering disease in domestic cats in Europe, causing hind limb ataxia and paresis.
- Further investigations are recommended to determine the enzootic nature of RusV in North America and explore potential zoonotic risks.
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Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health & Prevention