First Case of Novel Coronavirus In A Non-Captive Animal, Detected on a Wild Mink

In early November, coronavirus infected minks in Denmark were culled and buried in a mass grave. But Denmark was not the only area to have reported that their minks have caught the novel coronavirus. The Netherlands, Utah, Wisconsin, and others have also confirmed that mink fur farms are infected with the virus.

But what is more alarming is that in early December, authorities in Denmark have reported that some infected minks escaped from the fur farms. Although minks escaping from farms is quite common every year, their escape is critical because they carry the novel coronavirus. However, experts said that transmission from minks is unlikely because they are solitary animals.

According to the National Geographic, a new report suggests that the first case of a novel coronavirus in the non-captive animal was detected in wild minks, found in the "immediate vicinity" of the Utah fur farm that had reported an outbreak a few months ago.

Novel Coronavirus in Utah Mink Fur Farm

According to an alert issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, the first known case of the novel coronavirus in a wild animal has been confirmed. They tested a will mink, found near the Utah mink fur farm that previously reported an outbreak in the farm, and discovered that the mink tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory, who conducted the test, said that the strain of coronavirus found in the mink is "indistinguishable" from those found in the minks in the fur farm. The mink was the only animal they caught around the fur farms that tested positive.

The novel coronavirus has been detected in many captive animals like lions, tigers, and even in dogs and cats. Scientists pay extra attention to endangered species that might pass the virus to humans, and until now, SARS-CoV-2 is not known to be passed on to wild animals.

Since farmed minks are known to be susceptible to the novel coronavirus, it is no wonder that wild minks can also get infected with the virus. However, experts are unsure as to how the wild minks have come into contact with the infected minks in the fur farm.

"This finding demonstrates both the importance of continuing surveillance around infected mink farms and of taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus to wildlife," says USDA spokesperson Lyndsay Cole.

ALSO READ: Cats and Dogs Are Now Vulnerable to COVID-19 Infection, Experts Say

Older Minks

The Guardian reported last month over 100,000 minks have died of COVID-19 which spurred quarantines at nine fur farms affected by the outbreak.

Dean Taylor, Utah's state veterinarian, said that coronavirus had mostly affected older mink which has wiped out 50% percent of the breeding colonies, while younger minks were remained unharmed.

Currently, the Fur Commission USA is working together with the International Fur Federation to develop a COVID-19 vaccine for minks. However, the vaccine has not yet been tested.

Taylor urges people who are worried about their furry pets to treat them as humans. As much as possible, keep them within properties and distance them from anyone in the household who is sick.