Denmark - Coronavirus detected in 289 mink farms - All Danish mink (15-17 million) must be killed because coronavirus has mutated and has spread to hu

[Gert van der Hoek]

Update November 10 2020 : Total infected mink farms 237

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Update November 11 2020 : Total infected mink farms 243

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Update November 12 2020 : Total infected mink farms 255

 

[JJackson]

I am not clear why they are particularly concerned by the cluster 5 variant, apart from it being in the spike. It is not in the RBD and unless they have other data showing that it causes a conformational change that would effect receptor binding it probably will not be a problem. Wild mink are rare and have a very small geographical range the real danger, and reason they should be culled, is the risk of escaped mink giving it to the their nearest relative the European pole cat (aka ferrets) with which they interbreed and which do have a substantial range. If SARS-CoV-2 can establish itself in a new non-human host it will adapt to that species. While adaptions will generally take it further away from the human optimised form it will introduce a much broader pallet for reassortment incurring the risk of creating new SARS variants which can then get back into the human population giving us SARS-3 or 4. The bats may have given us 1 & 2 but a new host which interacts more with humans is an even bigger problem and musclids have a much greater host range and who knows what other susceptible host species they interact with. The endemic influenza viruses in birds, and corona viruses in bats, are generally well adapted to their host species and genetic drift bringing them to the zoonotic edge is thankfully very rare and they are seldom well adapted enough to sustain h2h for long enough to get established. This virus in ferrets or mink starts from a well adapted human form so is already well adapted to us and will have to adapt to its new host for quite a while before it drifts away from the zoonotic edge leaving us open to a range of variants all of which can probably get back into humans and which could cause very different levels of disease severity and be a problem for vaccines. I believe Denmark had already decided to close down the mink fur trade prior to this pandemic for animal welfare reasons anyway this has just brought it forward by a year or two.

EDIT
In this post I said there were no changes in the RBD but there is one S Y453F see post #66 below. Apologies to all for my error.

 

[bertrand789]

Merci,

vous ( les am?ricains) nous avez fait entrevoir, notamment par influenza, bien des choses. L? vous montrez, au grand jour, toutes vos limites et failles...

Je souhaite un texte scientifique, du CDC, ou, sur le texte de l'ECDC ...

Je dis cela, car si les instances scientifiques am?ricaines, notamment v?to qui ont brill? par leurs incons?quences, ne le font pas, il y aura bien des cons?quences...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Ten new mink farms have been infected with corona since Thursday



265 mink farms have been diagnosed with corona infection in the herd. Ten new mink farms have been infected since Thursday.

This brings the total number of mink farms where corona infection has been found to 265. Of these, 214 have been killed, while 22 farms are under suspicion.
For the first time, infection has been found in Hedensted Municipality. These are three mink herds.

Chairman of Copenhagen Fur Tage Pedersen informed finans.dk on Friday that three of his farms have found corona outbreaks. Two of them are located in Hedensted.
In total, coronavirus has been found on mink farms in 22 municipalities. All municipalities are located in Jutland except L?s?.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration does not state how many of the non-infected herds have been killed. Herds within a radius of 7.8 kilometers from infected farms must be killed, even if no corona infection has been detected here.

The government decided last week that all mink in all of Denmark must be killed.

Since then, however, it has emerged that the order was illegal. It requires legal authority to be able to decide this, and such a majority in the Folketing has not yet been adopted.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Update November 15 2020 : Total infected mink farms 271

 

[JJackson]

https://files.ssi.dk/Mink-cluster-5-short-report_AFO2
The linked paper looks at the the various mutations and, contrary to my earlier post #64, does include one change within the RBD which I somehow missed.
Also note I692V which may be important as it is very close to the S1/S2 cleavage point and could be significant if it effects TMPRSS2 cleavage.

 

[Emily]

The incident involving skinned bodies might be 'normal' mink farming procedures, but the other incident that looks like the bigger one according to photos is likely culled mink since they have their fur intact.

https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2020-11-10-billeder-viser-bunker-af-doede-mink-paa-landevej
https://www.translatetheweb.com/?re...leder-viser-bunker-af-doede-mink-paa-landevej
Photos show piles of dead mink on country road

10 Nov 2020, 8:53 p.m.Opd. 11 Nov 2020, 7:41am

by Julie Almann Larsen

This is not the first time a truck has lost dead mink on the road. We must warn against strong images in the article.
On Tuesday evening, Pernille Lambertsen was driving her car in Nordenskov in Southwest Jutland, north of Esbjerg, when she discovered that there were piles of dead mink on the road.
She stopped the car and turned on the accident warning so that other cars wouldn't have to drive into them.
There were thousands of dead mink. Oncoming said they were all the way from Nordenskov to ?lgod, Pernille Lambertsen told TV 2, who alerted the police after she had discovered the dead mink.
...

Also happened Saturday

South and South Jutland Police wrote wednesday on Twitter that a car inspector has examined the vehicle that dropped the minks. Preliminary investigations show, according to police, that it was a technical fault on the vehicle that caused the incident.
- It is important to stress that it was NOT about Corona-infected mink, but about healthy mink, writes the South and South Jutland Police.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Update November 16 2020 : Total infected mink farms 279

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Danish government gets majority to back plan to cull minks

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Danish government said Tuesday that there was now a parliamentary majority behind a decision to cull the country's 15 million minks over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals.

The government had announced the cull despite not having the right to order the killing of healthy animals, an embarrassing misstep that caused it to scramble to build political consensus.

The one-party Social Democratic, minority government made a deal late Monday with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of all mink, including those outside northern Denmark where infections have been found. The law proposal also bans mink farming until the end of 2021.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

All mink on farms with corona infection have now been killed



The minks on the 284 farms where covid-19 had been found have now been killed, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration writes on Twitter.

Covid-19 was found on 284 mink farms. That equates to about one in four mink farms.

The country's mink farms are still being monitored for covid-19, it is reported. (25 farms suspected GvdH)

 

[Mary Wilson]

Danish agriculture minister steps down over illegal mink order

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 5:55 AM UPDATED 23 MINUTES AGO
By Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday faced opposition calls to resign after her agriculture minister stepped down over an illegal order by the government to cull the country’s farmed mink.

The government is facing its biggest crisis yet during the coronavirus pandemic after it ordered the culling of all farmed mink earlier this month to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a new mutated strain, but later admitted the order had no legal basis.

“I want the Prime Minister to do the same,” ...

But a government investigation published on Wednesday showed that the decision to cull all mink was taken by all top ministers.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...tent&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.who.int/csr/don/03-december-2020-mink-associated-sars-cov2-denmark/en/



SARS-CoV-2 mink-associated variant strain – Denmark

Disease Outbreak News: Update
3 December 2020

Since June 2020, Danish authorities have reported an extensive spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on mink farms in Denmark. On 5 November, the Danish public health authorities reported the detection of a mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant with a combination of mutations not previously observed (referred to as “Cluster 5”) in 12 human cases in North Jutland, detected from August to September 2020.
To date, Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in Denmark has identified seven unique mutations in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 among variants co-circulating in mink and humans. SSI cultured the “Cluster 5” variant with four amino acid changes in the spike protein, which was identified in mink and isolated from the 12 human cases reported in North Jutland. Preliminary findings suggested that there was a lower capability of antibodies to neutralize the Cluster 5 strain, which requires further investigation.
Following public health measures implemented by Danish authorities, the incidence of COVID-19 in North Jutland decreased from 100 per 100,000 population in the week beginning 16 November (week 47) to 60 per 100,000 population in the week beginning 2 November (week 45). Over the past weeks, Danish authorities have conducted mass testing of 111 447 individuals in North Jutland using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and are planning to conduct genetic sequencing for all positive samples.
In November 2020, 349 cases were reported among people associated with mink farming, an increase from 200 cases in October 2020. Since June 2020, a total of 644 people associated with mink farming have tested positive. Furthermore, there have been at least 338 cases reported among people working with mink pelting, in six factories and two small facilities, which suggests that there is an increased risk of COVID-19 infection in people who are involved in farming, culling and pelting of mink. As of 1 December 2020, a total of 289 mink farms have been affected, which accounts for approximately 20% of all mink farms in Denmark.
From the week beginning 6 June 2020 (week 24) to the week beginning 16 November 2020 (week 47), 10 386 COVID-19 positive samples from unique individuals underwent whole genome sequencing, which accounted for 17.6% of all positive samples in the corresponding time period. Of these sequenced samples, 750 were virus variants associated with infected mink. In addition, at least two new SARS-CoV-2 variants were recently detected in Southern Denmark which were not genetically related to the original Danish mink-associated variant strain.
In North Denmark, the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 mink-associated variant strains among all sequenced samples decreased from 60% and 51% in weeks 41 and 42, respectively, to 26% and 31% in weeks 46 and 47; in Central Denmark, the proportion increased from ~3% in weeks 41 and 42 to over 30% in weeks 46 and 47; in South Denmark, the proportion increased from 0% in weeks 41 and 42 to 11% and 21% in weeks 46 and 47, respectively, while noting that there are differences in sequencing frequency and practices among various regions. In areas with no affected mink farms, human cases infected with the mink-associated variant have occurred sporadically. As of 20 November, no new human cases of the Cluster 5 strain have been detected by genetic sequencing, and authorities assessed that the Cluster 5 variant is no longer circulating in humans.
Mink have previously been reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, including in two outbreaks on large mink farms in the Netherlands in April 2020. Additionally, the Netherlands have reported human infections with mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 strains which were not Cluster 5 strains. To date, eight countries, namely Denmark, Lithuania, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and Greece and the United States of America have reported COVID-19 in farmed mink to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Public health response

On 4 November 2020, Denmark decided to cull all farmed mink in Denmark. This decision was made following information that it had not been possible to prevent the spread of infection from farm to farm, or from animals to humans, and mink are acting as a reservoir and contributing to the ongoing transmission in Denmark. On 5 November, movement restrictions were introduced in the affected areas in North Jutland. On 6 November, Denmark shared the full genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from humans to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) platform, and 133 sequences from mink on 18 November. On 19 November 2020, restrictions were lifted in North Jutland due to decreased incidence and the absence of new cases of the Cluster 5 variant identified in the affected areas.
By 25 November, mink on all 289 affected mink farms, and farms within an assigned zone, were culled. Additionally, mink farming has been banned in Denmark until 31 December 2021, including import and export of live mink. Economic support packages have been established for those affected.
Danish authorities have continued to work with the WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group and have agreed to share the Cluster 5 variant SARS-CoV-2 with the COVID-19 Reference Laboratory Network for further studies and testing.

WHO risk assessment

It is expected that all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 change over time. SARS-CoV-2 strains which are infecting mink and subsequently transmitted back to humans, may have acquired unique mutations to adapt to the mink host. Advanced laboratory studies are required to fully understand the impact of novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 on viral properties such as transmissibility, clinical presentation and effectiveness of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. These studies are long, complex and are done in close collaboration with various research groups.
While public health and social measures implemented by Denmark have led to positive developments, recent findings of other mink-associated variants among human cases in mid-Jutland and the detection of some 200 human cases among workers are of concern.

WHO advice

This event highlights the important role that farmed mink populations can play in the on-going transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the critical importance of robust surveillance, sampling and sequencing of these viruses by employing a One Health approach, especially around areas where such animal reservoirs are identified. The global relevance of the preliminary findings by Denmark is potentially significant, and WHO recognizes the importance of prompt sharing of epidemiological, virological, and full genome sequence information with other countries and research teams, including through open-source platforms such as GISAID.
WHO advises the following measures:

• Conduct further virological studies to understand the specific mutations described by Denmark and to investigate any changes in transmissibility and pathogenicity of the virus;
• Countries, particularly those with mink and other fur farming, to increase the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from human and animal samples where possible and share sequence data, including if the same mutations are found;
• Countries to increase surveillance for COVID-19 at the animal-human interface where susceptible animal reservoirs are identified, including on mink and other fur farms;
• Countries to strengthen farming biosafety and biosecurity measures around known animal reservoirs, particularly on mink farms, to limit the risk of zoonotic events associated with SARS-CoV-2. This includes infection prevention and control measures for animal workers, farm visitors and those involved in animal husbandry or culling;
• Remind communities and health workers of the basic principles to reduce the risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections by:
  • Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
  • Washing hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment;
  • Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals;
  • Practicing cough etiquette, such as maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and washing hands, if experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory infection;
  • Enhancing standard infection prevention and control practices in health care facilities, especially in emergency departments of hospitals.

WHO recommends the health measures listed above for all travelers. In case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Health authorities should work with travel, transport and tourism sectors to provide travelers with information to reduce the general risk of acute respiratory infections via travel health clinics, travel agencies, conveyance operators and at points of entry.
WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions for Denmark based on information currently available in relation to this event.
For more information, see:

• WHO Disease outbreak news SARS-CoV-2 mink-associated variant strain – Denmark
• WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
• WHO COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update and Weekly Operational Update
• WHO Health Topics page on COVID-19
• WHO Scientific brief on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions
• WHO Public health considerations while resuming international travel
• OIE Update 6 on the COVID-19 situation in mink in Denmark
• OIE Technical factsheet, infection with SARS-CoV-2 in animal
• OIE Questions and Answers on COVID-19
• FAO Exposure of humans or animals to SARS-CoV-2 from wild, livestock, companion and aquatic animals

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

SARS-CoV-2 has again been detected in mink farms, which were tested free of covid-19


This result may indicate that the virus has been present on the farm since August and that it has evolved from there. However, it cannot be ruled out that this is a reintroduction of a closely related variant of unknown origin.

Last edited on 6 December 2020

The fourth infected mink farm in Denmark was first tested positive on 11 August 2020. This farm was the first where the minks were not slaughtered after a proven infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Following a negative result in PCR examinations of dead mink submitted during September, 300 swab samples were examined by PCR on 30 September 2020 for free testing of the farm.

All samples were examined with negative result. In addition, antibodies were detected in all blood samples taken in the herd on 19 August 2020 (60 samples) and on 2 October 2020 (60 samples).

During the routine monitoring of dead mink, SARS-CoV-2 was again detected by PCR in samples taken on the farm on 2 November 2020. Against this background, suspicion samples were taken on 6 November 2020, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 26 out of 35 swab samples. In addition, antibodies were detected in all blood samples taken on the same day from 30 of these mink.

Phylogenetic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences shows that the November samples are more related to previous virus sequences from the same farm than to any of the other known mink variants. This result may indicate that the virus has been present on the farm since August and that it has evolved from there. However, it cannot be ruled out that this is a reintroduction of a closely related variant of unknown origin.

Read more
Read more about the reinfected farm in this report

 

[etudiant]

Mink would seem to be good lab animal for testing the effectiveness of the various countermeasures against spreading the virus.
At a minimum, they could be useful for verifying whether the virus spreads airborne or only via particles. I'm surprised that no one has apparently done this basic research as yet.

 

[bertrand789]

First of all, it seems important, to me, to know everything that goes into this type of breeding, in the U.S.A, and elsewhere. I say this because if in the United States, we do not seem to have understood the role of Vit D, for the population, in production, we know how to use it, sometimes at strange doses ...

Normal, it is a vitamin so we can easily find it ...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Apparently mink farms can be a reservoir for SARS-CoV2. Even if the mink tested negative and/or showed antibodies.

 

[Emily]

A reservoir of the horror of human panic.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/d...-rise-from-graves/ar-BB1bwRVo?ocid=uxbndlbing

Denmark to dig up dead minks with mutated novel coronavirus after some 'rise from graves'

Joshua Bote, USA TODAY 5 days agoDenmark to dig up dead minks with mutated novel coronavirus after some 'rise from graves'

Government officials in Denmark plan to dig up minks that appeared to have "risen from the dead."
...
Both local and state officials, including newly appointed Food and Agriculture Minister Rasmus Prehn, have also given credence to the idea of incinerating the bodies. Reuters reported that Prehn has since consulted with the nation's environmental agency for next steps.

Prehn's predecessor, Mogens Jensen, resigned after approving the controversial cullings, which were deemed illegal a week after approval but show no signs of stopping.

 

[bertrand789]

Suivant r?gles europ?ennes suite ? l amaladie de la vache folle, il y a des r?gles de gestion des animaux. Dans ce cas, visiblement , l'urgence a fait faire , ce qui se fait aux USA, mais pas en Europe ...

According to European rules following mad cow disease, there are animal management rules. In this case, obviously, the emergency had to do, which is done in the USA, but not in Europe ...