Rustrela Virus in Wild Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) with Staggering Disease, Colorado, USA

Abstract

We identified a rustrela virus variant in a wild mountain lion (Puma concolor) in Colorado, USA. The animal had clinical signs and histologic lesions compatible with staggering disease. Considering its wide host range in Europe, rustrela virus should be considered as a cause for neurologic diseases among mammal species in North America.

Keywords

• Rustela virus
• rubivirus
• viruses
• encephalomyelitis
• encephalitis
• ataxia