## Colorado Mountain Lion Dies from Staggering Disease## Colorado Mountain Lion Dies from Staggering Disease Douglas County, Colorado – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has confirmed the first documented case of Staggering Disease in a North American mountain lion. On May 12, 2023, CPW euthanized a sick mountain lion in a residential area in Douglas County. The big cat was unable to use its hind legs due to the presence of the rustrela virus, the cause of Staggering Disease. The neurological disease is fatal and primarily affects domestic cats. The diagnosis was made using tissue samples from the infected mountain lion and confirmed through collaboration with researchers from the Friedrich-Leoffler-Institut in Germany. The disease has been documented in domestic cats, rodents, marsupials, and a donkey. CPW veterinarians and officials are closely monitoring for any new cases of cougars in Colorado that may be carrying the rustrela virus. The public is urged to contact their local CPW office if they see cougars with difficulty walking, acting abnormally, or appearing to stagger. RELATED: TWO COLORADO MOUNTAIN LIONS RESCUED FROM WATERWAY According to an emerging infectious disease study, the RusV virus found in the Colorado mountain lion differs from the previously described virus found in Europe. For more information, refer to the emerging infectious disease report at cdc.gov.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports this is the first documented case in North America of a cougar with the fatal neurological disease Staggering Disease.
According to a press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, on May 12, 2023, officials euthanized a sick mountain lion in a residential area in Douglas County, Colorado. The big cat was unable to use its hind legs due to the presence of the rustrela virus. The virus is the cause of the neurological disease that is known to be fatal and primarily affects domestic cats.
The diagnosis of Staggering Disease was made using tissue samples from the infected Colorado mountain lion. According to the press release, the disease was difficult to diagnose and was only made possible through collaboration with researchers from the Friedrich-Leoffler-Institut in Germany. The disease has been documented in domestic cats and other species such as rodents, marsupials and a donkey.
Currently, Colorado State University veterinarians and Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are closely monitoring for any new cases of cougars in the state of Colorado that may be carrying the rustrela virus that causes Staggering Disease. The public is urged to contact their local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office if they see cougars that have difficulty walking, are acting abnormally, or appear to be staggering.
RELATED: TWO COLORADO MOUNTAIN LIONS RESCUED FROM WATERWAY
The emerging infectious disease study says the RusV virus found in the Colorado mountain lion is different from the previously described virus found in Europe. See the emerging infectious disease report for the Colorado mountain lion found at cdc.gov.
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