New virus that causes ‘staggering disease’ discovered in US - and it can kill pet cats and those in the wild

karashta@lemm.ee to News@lemmy.world – 286 points –
New virus discovered in US that can kill pet cats and those in the wild
independent.co.uk

The American Veterinary Medical Association said symptoms to watch for include a staggering gait, the inability to retract claws, extreme sensitivity to touch, tremors, and seizures. The illness usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks, but can also linger for more than a year.

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My first thought, luckily a virus and not a prion disease. Still sucks.

Can you explain the difference? I thought with viruses there is typically little to no treatment other than letting it run its course.

Prions are misfolded proteins that misfold other proteins they contact. They're much harder to kill with heat or sanitizer and pretty much always fatal.