Preliminary report of an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in mink and mink farmers associated with community spread, Denmark, June to November 2020

Helle Daugaard Larsen*, Jannik Fonager, Frederikke Kristensen Lomholt, Tine Dalby, Guido Benedetti, Brian Kristensen, Tinna Ravnholt Urth, Morten Rasmussen, Ria Lassaunière, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Bertel Strandbygaard, Louise Lohse, Manon Chaine, Karina Lauenborg Møller, Ann Sofie Nicole Berthelsen, Sarah Kristine Nørgaard, Ute Wolff Sönksen, Anette Ella Boklund, Anne Sofie Hammer, Graham J. BelshamTyra Grove Krause, Sten Mortensen, Anette Bøtner, Anders Fomsgaard, Kåre Mølbak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

108 Citations (Scopus)
62 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In June-November 2020, SARS-CoV-2-infected mink were detected in 290 of 1,147 Danish mink farms. In North Denmark Region, 30% (324/1,092) of people found connected to mink farms tested SARS-CoV- 2-PCR-positive and approximately 27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25-30) of SARS-CoV-2-strains from humans in the community were mink-associated. Measures proved insufficient to mitigate spread. On 4 November, the government ordered culling of all Danish mink. Farmed mink constitute a potential virus reservoir challenging pandemic control.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEurosurveillance
Volume26
Issue number5
Number of pages6
ISSN1025-496X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Cite this