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Emerg Infect Dis
. 2021 Mar;27(3):988-990.
doi: 10.3201/eid2703.204444.
SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Escaped Mink, Utah, USA
Susan A Shriner, Jeremy W Ellis, J Jeffrey Root, Annette Roug, Scott R Stopak, Gerald W Wiscomb, Jared R Zierenberg, Hon S Ip, Mia K Torchetti, Thomas J DeLiberto
- PMID: 33622465
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2703.204444
Abstract
In August 2020, outbreaks of coronavirus disease were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA. We surveyed mammals captured on and around farms for evidence of infection or exposure. Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, exhibited high antibody titers, suggesting a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission pathway to native wildlife.
Keywords: American mink; COVID-19; Neovison vison; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; farm; fur; outbreak; respiratory infections; rodents; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; spillover; viruses; zoonoses.