Emily Chan
It is a close cousin of the virus that causes rubella in humans, though. Thanks to a vaccine and vaccination program, rubella has been eliminated in the U.S. since 2004.
“Considering its wide host range in Europe, rustrela virus should be considered as a cause for neurologic diseases among mammal species in North America,” wrote the researchers.
According to Karen Fox, the lead author of the report and a former pathologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, it will be easier to detect new cases of staggering disease now that its presence in the U.S. is known. Experts can learn more about the illness by continuing to work with colleagues in Europe.
Wildlife officials have asked residents to reach out if they come across mountain lions that are sick in a similar way.
The case was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
