Veterinary Science

Mystery of fatal ‘staggering disease’ unravelled: novel rustrela virus causes severe meningoencephalomyelitis in domestic cats

K. Matiasek, F. Pfaff, et al.

Recent research reveals that the Rustrela virus (RusV), long-suspected in feline 'staggering disease', has been detected in brain tissues of affected domestic cats, shedding light on this mysterious neurological disorder. Conducted by a team of experts including Kaspar Matiasek and Florian Pfaff, this study also identifies wood mice as potential reservoir hosts, raising concerns about broader implications for other mammals, including humans.