First case of 'staggering disease' in North America found in a Colorado mountain lion

A mountain lion euthanized in Colorado last year had the first recorded case of “staggering disease” in the species in North America, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Tuesday.

"Of note, a remarkably broad range of other mammalian RusV hosts have been identified in Germany, including equids, mustelids, rodents, and marsupials, raising concerns about a zoonotic potential of RusV," the study concluded. "Given the wide host range of the virus in Europe, RusV should be considered as a possible cause for neurologic diseases in all mammal species in North America."