Did the farm staff transmit it... 10,000 mink infected with COVID-19 die in a mass culling

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] In the United States, an incident occurred where about 10,000 minks were infected with the COVID-19 virus and died in a mass die-off. Minks showed symptoms similar to humans and were found to be particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus compared to other animals, but the reason remains unknown. Authorities believe the virus was transmitted from farm workers infected with COVID-19.

According to foreign media on the 10th, approximately 10,000 minks died over the past two weeks at nine fur farms in Utah. As COVID-19 continues to spread among the minks, the damage is expected to increase. The state government is investigating, considering these minks to be infected with COVID-19.

Dr. Dean Taylor, a veterinarian for the Utah state government, reported that the virus was detected in minks after farm workers tested positive for COVID-19 in August.

Dr. Taylor said that minks infected with COVID-19 showed symptoms similar to those in humans. They exhibited signs such as difficulty breathing, breathing with their mouths open, and nasal discharge. While young minks remained unharmed, older minks suffered significant damage. Infected minks sometimes died within a day after showing symptoms.

Dr. Taylor stated that they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Agriculture to implement measures to prevent the spread, including providing protective equipment to farm workers. He also noted that no minks have been culled due to COVID-19 so far.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture reported that animals on the affected farms were quarantined to prevent them from leaving, and all animal products such as hides were either buried or incinerated.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, besides minks, over 50 species including cats, dogs, lions, and tigers have been infected with COVID-19 in the United States. Minks appear to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, but the reason remains unclear.

Earlier, in July, at a mink farm in Spain, 87% of the minks were infected with the coronavirus, and as a preventive measure, about 92,700 minks were culled. Spanish authorities estimated that the minks were infected by farm workers who had contracted COVID-19.

Additionally, in the Netherlands, several farms experienced mass mink infections, leading to the culling of hundreds of thousands of minks and the closure of about 100 farms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.