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Denmark’s prime minister wants to euthanize all minks on farms to minimize the risk of relaying COVID-19 to humans.
The Danish State Serum Institute, which deals with infectious diseases, has found mink-related strands of the novel coronavirus in 214 people since June, according to a report on its website updated on November 5.
Meanwhile, a strain of the mutated coronavirus, which has prompted Denmark to euthanize its entire herd of mink, has been found in 12 people and on five mink farms so far.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the government wants to euthanize all minks on farms to minimize the risk of weasel-shaped mammals relaying COVID-19 to humans.
Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said that half of the 783 human cases of COVID-19 in northern Denmark “are related” to mink.
“It’s very, very serious,” Frederiksen said. “Therefore, the virus mutated in mink can have devastating consequences around the world.”
Denmark is one of the world’s leading mink fur exporters, producing approximately 17 million fur per year. Kopenhagen Fur, a cooperative of 1,500 Danish breeders, accounts for 40 percent of the world’s mink production. Most of its exports go to China and Hong Kong.
According to government estimates, culling the country’s 15 million minks could cost up to 5 billion crowns ($ 785 million). National Police Chief Thorkild Fogde said: “It should happen as soon as possible.”
Danish Food Minister Mogens Jensen said 207 farms were infected, up from 41 last month, and the disease has spread to the entire western peninsula of Jutland.
Last month, Denmark began slaughtering millions of minks in the north of the country. The government has promised to compensate farmers.
The country has recorded 52,265 confirmed COVID-19 infections and 733 related deaths.
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