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Risk of spread to humans considered low, agencies say
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Service Laboratory has confirmed 10 cases of SARS-CoV-2 in mink on a farm in Oregon, the fourth state to report them, announced Friday the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
NVSL confirmed that all 10 samples submitted by ODA came back positive for SARS-CoV-2, the animal virus linked to COVID-19 in humans.
ODA state veterinarian Dr Ryan Scholz immediately placed the farm in quarantine, which means no animals or animal products can leave the farm until further notice.
“We have been engaged with the Oregon mink industry for some time, providing information on biosafety to prevent the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 and we were ready to respond,” said Scholz. “The farmer did the right thing by reporting his symptoms early on and is now working with us and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to take care of his animals and staff. So far, we have no reports of mink mortality linked to the virus, but that could change as the virus progresses.
Due to HIPPA and biosecurity concerns, the ODA and Oregon Health Authority are not sharing the location of the farm, which is also reporting cases of COVID-19 among its staff.
In response, Dr. Emilio DeBess, OHA public health veterinarian, recommended that the farmer and staff self-isolate.
Additionally, Dr DeBess and his team work closely with those affected to ensure they have the necessary personal protective equipment and supplies and can follow COVID-19 guidelines and have sufficient access and instructions on how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE). and hand disinfection procedures.
“Worker safety is essential to protect people and animals on mink farms,” DeBess said. “Our best weapon against the virus today is education. We are providing specific workplace testing, counseling and support, and providing additional PPE to farmers, employees and their families to help reduce the spread of the virus. All Oregonians should do their part and wear a face mask, stay six feet apart, avoid gatherings, and wash their hands often.
ODA and OHA will continue to monitor the farm, employees and their families. Using response and containment guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the two agencies will help guide agricultural operations with worker safety and farm biosecurity as a primary objective.
This year, the virus was detected in mink internationally in seven countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Spain and the United States in Utah, the Michigan and Wisconsin.
Other species of animals in the United States have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
According to the CDC and USDA-APHIS, there is currently no evidence that animals, including mink, play a significant role in transmitting the virus to humans. The risk of animals transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans is considered low, the agencies said.
The USDA announces confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in animals whenever it is found in a new species. All confirmed cases in animals are displayed here.
ODA News Blog
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