Rustrela Virus is linked To Staggering Disease in Cats
The virus responsible for the neurological disease known as staggering disease in cats has been identified by scientists in Germany, Austria and Sweden, and a PCR test is now available at Laboklin.
'Staggering disease' is a unique neurological disease found in cats in some parts of Europe. The disease is characterised by loss of ability to retract claws, tremors, loss of control of limbs and seizures. Cats with the disease stagger about as if drunk, hence nickname. Symptoms progress for about two weeks and there is no known treatment. The disease is fatal and most cat are euthanized for humane reasons.
Initial study of the disease suggested it was caused by the Borna disease virus, but subsequent work failed confirm this idea. However the causehas now been identified as Rustrela virus, which is a close relative of rubella virus (which causes rubella in people). There is no known link with with people or rubella virus, but it helps us understand more about the virus.
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