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Occupational and environmental exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in and around infected mink farms

Myrna M T de Rooij1, Renate W Hakze-Van der Honing2, Marcel M Hulst2

  • 1Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands m.m.t.derooij@uu.nl.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|July 31, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in dust and on surfaces within mink farms, posing an occupational exposure risk. Environmental contamination was limited, with minimal risk to nearby communities.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Virology
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Farmed mink SARS-CoV-2 infections raised concerns about human transmission.
  • Intensive environmental investigations were initiated to assess exposure risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence in environmental samples from mink farms.
  • To assess occupational and environmental exposure risks.

Main Methods:

  • Air and surface sampling at Dutch mink farms and nearby residential sites.
  • Collection of bedding and housing unit samples.
  • Quantitative PCR analysis for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Main Results:

  • High SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels found in airborne dust and settling dust within farms.
  • SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected on surfaces in mink housing units.
  • Limited outdoor air contamination; no detection beyond farm premises except near entrances.

Conclusions:

  • Infected mink farms pose significant occupational exposure risks due to high RNA concentrations.
  • Environmental dispersion to outdoor air is limited, posing negligible risk to communities.
  • Findings support mink-to-human transmission among farm workers, not zoonotic spread to communities.
Keywords:
COVID-19air pollutionenvironmentfarmersviruses

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