Prime Minister Matt Frederickson said Wednesday that the decision was taken “with a heavy heart,” but was based on a recommendation from health officials.
“The virus has mutated into mink. The mutated virus has spread to humans,” Frederickson said.
He said the Copenhagen-based Danish authority Statens Serum Institute had found five cases of the virus on a mink farm and 12 instances in humans showing low sensitivity to antibodies. Allowing the virus to spread could potentially limit the effectiveness of future vaccines.
“We have a great responsibility to our own population, but with the change that has taken place now, we also have a great responsibility to the rest of the world,” Frederickson said.
There are between 15 million and 17 million mink in Denmark, according to officials. Coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in the country’s mink farms since June, despite repeated attempts to eradicate infected animals.
The prime minister said new restrictions would be introduced in some areas of Denmark to cover the spread of the mutable virus, including the municipalities of Hojoring, Friedrichshavan, Branderslav, Jaimerbugt, Westmirland, Thatted and Lasso.
“Unfortunately, the residents of that municipality will have to prepare for more sanctions in the near future.”
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