SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Service Laboratory has released the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) in mink, and all five cases were found at two mink farms in Utah.
The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory conducted necropsies on several dead mink from the two farms after receiving reports that mink deaths were unusually high. Both farms have been completely quarantined, said a news release from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Although these cases are the first for the United States, the Netherlands has also confirmed cases of coronavirus in mink.
Both mink farms, which were not identified, also reported COVID-19 cases in their staff members.
“However, there is currently no evidence that animals, including mink, play a major role in transmitting the virus to humans. As it stands now, due to limited information and research, there is a risk that animals will SARS-CoV. 2 distributed to people considered low, “the statement said
According to the USDA, coronavirus has also been detected in a tiger, a lion, several dogs, a few cats and, now, mink in the United States. Click here for further details on cases of coronavirus detected in animals in the US.
