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| Salem Statesman Journal
Denmark to slaughter 15 million farmed mink over coronavirus fears
A Danish report shows that a COVID-19 mutation has been found in 12 people in the north of the country who have been infected with mink.
SALEM, Oregon – Environmental groups are sounding the alarm after reports of COVID-19 outbreaks in farmed mink in the United States and a mutant strain of COVID-19 spreading from mink to humans in Denmark.
The nation’s largest farmed mink industries are found in Wisconsin, Utah, and Michigan. And as of November 4, 11 mink farms in all three states had reported outbreaks of COVID-19.
In Wisconsin, about 3,400 farmed mink have died in the past month after contracting the virus. And in Utah, about 10,000 mink have died since August.
Oregon has the fourth largest farmed mink industry in the country, with 11 licensed mink farms, but state officials say there is no cause for concern.
“Currently, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to humans,” said Andrea Cantu-Schomus, director of communications for the Department of Agriculture. Oregon.
“Additionally, there have been no reports of mink deaths in Oregon to date,” she said, adding that the state would not be doing any inspections or tests in response to epidemics elsewhere.
COVID-19 is a reportable disease in Oregon. But that doesn’t apply to fur producers because they can’t legally diagnose a disease, Cantu-Schomus said. Veterinarians should point this out, however.
Denmark kills 17 million mink
In early November, Denmark announced that it would kill the 17 million mink raised there after the Danish Minister of Health confirmed that 12 people had been infected with a mutated strain of COVID-19 that had spread from the mink to humans.
Other animals have contracted the virus from humans, but it is believed to be the first time humans have caught it from an animal.
Danish authorities have said they fear the mutated strain could interfere with the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine.
More: Northern Denmark on lockdown after mutated coronavirus infects mink raised for fur
In response, the World Health Organization has advised all countries to improve surveillance for COVID-19 in mink farms.
In addition to Denmark and the United States, COVID-19 infections have been reported in farmed mink in the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Greece, according to the WHO.
This week, Poland started testing mink for the coronavirus.
Seeking action in Oregon
On November 6, the Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to officials at the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Health Authority, asking them to immediately send inspectors to all mink farms to ensure they are ensure that they do not endanger public health.
“We don’t want to raise the alarm; however, we are deeply concerned that these facilities could, knowingly or unknowingly, contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the state, or even harbor or come to harbor new mutations of COVID-19, like the one discovered in Denmark. , ”The group wrote.
In recent weeks, national animal rights groups Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have sent letters to the US Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asking them to immediately quarantine the mink farms across the country and stop breeding programs. and implement a buyout to phase out mink farms.
They also wrote to Oregon Governor Kate Brown, asking her to impose a state quarantine and stop breeding programs, and to coordinate with federal agencies for a buyout.
Brown’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Statesman Journal, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Health Authority said they were working together to draft responses. They don’t plan to follow any of the groups’ recommendations, but will explain what they’re doing, according to Cantu-Schomus.
“CDC guidelines recommend against testing unless there are consistent symptoms on a mink farm with a potential history of exposure. Because Oregon has not had any reports of fatalities, the ODA is not doing a test at this time, ”Cantu-Schomus said.
Rather, the ODA and the state veterinarian worked with the Oregon mink industry to provide information on biosecurity, as well as specific steps to be taken to prevent the introduction of SARS- CoV-2 in mink farms, ”she said.
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‘Take the necessary measures’
Fur Commission USA, based in Oregon, is a national non-profit organization representing mink farmers.
Michael Whelan, its executive director, declined an interview request from the Statesman Journal.
In a written statement, he accused animal rights organizations of exploiting the situation to advance their political agendas.
“Animal welfare is the farmer’s whole livelihood. We are taking the necessary steps, as recommended by the CDC, USDA and respective state veterinarians, to protect workers and animals from this virus, ”Whelan wrote.
Follow Tracy Loew on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew.
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