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These are different variants, in which the virus has mutated in the mink and then spread to humans, according to the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark.
WHO emergency manager Mike Ryan is preparing a risk assessment for covid infection among Danish minks and will inform members of the organization shortly, according to a statement from the organization.
Eleven infected
The variant observed above, which is considered the most serious, is called group 5. It has been found in five mink farms and in eleven people, in North Jutland.
Because of that discovery, the Danish government has decided that all minks in Denmark must be killed.
At the same time, strict restrictions have been introduced in seven municipalities in North Jutland, affecting more than 280,000 people. Those who live there cannot leave their municipality of origin. Restaurants have been closed and public transportation to and from the municipalities has been suspended.
Unclear impact of the vaccine
The reason the group 5 variant is considered so serious is that there are fears that a future vaccine will not protect as well against that variant. However, it is not considered to cause a more serious illness or to be more contagious than the original coronavirus.
“But if it spreads in Denmark or internationally, it could have serious consequences for the protective effect of future vaccines,” writes the Statens Serum Institut.
The WHO lead investigators say, however, that nothing can be said about how the mutated infection will affect a vaccine. The crown unit of the UN agency will now also investigate the situation in other countries with mink farms.
“It must be followed”
Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of department at the Swedish Public Health Agency, commented on the situation among Danish minks at yesterday’s joint press conference:
– There are a number of different variants (of the new coronavirus) worldwide and so far there is nothing certain to say that they can affect morbidity or infectivity and most importantly the consequences of a possible vaccination. But this is something that must be followed at all times and that action is taken, as has been done in Denmark.
When asked if Denmark is at risk of becoming a new Wuhan in China, where the pandemic began, he says:
– It is too early to say, in my opinion, but it is good that you maintain a close dialogue with the animal side and make sure that there are strict and good rules. This is a zoonotic infectious agent and can be transmitted between humans and animals, says Karin Tegmark Wisell.
Cecilia Klintö / TT
Johan Nilsson / TT
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