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Mink, SARS-CoV-2, and the Human-Animal Interface.
Florence Fenollar1,2, Oleg Mediannikov1,3, Max Maurin4
1IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Mink farms are hotspots for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, with mink capable of infecting humans and developing new virus variants. This highlights concerns about their role in the pandemic and the impact on public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Virology
Background:
- Mink (Mustela vison) farming is widespread globally for fur production.
- High-density mink farms present conditions favorable for infectious disease outbreaks.
- Mink possess a SARS-CoV-2 receptor similar to humans, indicating susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mink farms in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
- To examine the potential for mink to act as reservoirs for virus evolution.
- To assess the implications of mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variants for public health.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on mink farms worldwide.
- Analysis of mink's biological susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
- Examination of documented human infections originating from mink farms.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have occurred on numerous mink farms across multiple countries.
- Mink can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and transmit it to humans.
- Mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants originating in mink have been identified, necessitating significant public health responses.
Conclusions:
- Mink farms represent significant anthropo-zoonotic reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2.
- The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in mink raises concerns for viral fitness, transmissibility, and vaccine efficacy.
- Further research is needed to understand the full impact of mink on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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