A typically fatal neurologic syndrome has been detected in North America's mountain lion population for the first time, and the cat with the related virus was found in Colorado.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, tissues of a sick mountain lion that was euthanized in May of 2023 has tested positive for the presence of the rustrela virus, recently determined to be the cause of "staggering disease." Likely as a result of the condition, the mountain lion was unable to use its hind legs when it was found.
The disease has previously been recognized in domestic cats, as well as rodents, a donkey, and marsupials, but not in North America's mountain lion population.
The report of the discovery was made public in a study published this week in the " Emerging Infectious Diseases " journal (Fox et al., 2024). This study reveals additional details in the case, noting that the sick mountain lion that was determined to be a carrier of the virus was a one-year-old free range female lion observed in a residential area of Douglas County.
The study further describes the lion as "reluctant to rise and [with a] markedly decreased capacity to move or bear weight on the hind end. The animal moved by pulling itself forward with the front legs, while minimally propelling itself forward with the hind legs."
It's also noted in the study that the rustrela virus variant that was detected "is divergent from those previously described from Europe." Rodents were pointed to as a potential local reservoir host, though further research is needed to add validity to that suspicion.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Karen A. Fox, one of the researchers behind the study, emphasized that how widespread the virus is in both domestic and wild cats remains unknown.
"Now that we know what we’re looking for, it should be easier to find new cases if they are out there," Fox said. "With continued collaboration, we plan to learn what we can from our colleagues in Europe while we continue to look for new cases of staggering disease here in Colorado."
Members of the public have been asked to notify Colorado Parks and Wildlife if a mountain lion is observed staggering, struggling to walk, or behaving abnormally. Contact information for local Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices can be found here .
Read more on the study that was published here .
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