SARS-CoV-2 in Danish Mink Farms: Course of the Epidemic and a Descriptive Analysis of the Outbreaks in 2020

Boklund, Anette; Hammer, Anne Sofie; Quaade, Michelle Lauge; Rasmussen, Thomas Bruun; Lohse, Louise; Strandbygaard, Bertel; Jørgensen, Charlotte Sværke; Olesen, Ann Sofie; Hjerpe, Freja Broe; Petersen, Heidi Huus; Jensen, Tim Kåre; Mortensen, Sten; Calvo-Artavia, Francisco F.; Lefèvre, Stine Kjær; Nielsen, Søren Saxmose; Halasa, Tariq Hisham Beshara; Belsham, Graham J.; Bøtner, Anette

doi:10.3390/ani11010164

Cited by 98 publications

(237 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Natural transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has taken place amongst farmed mink following initial introduction from farm workers [52,53]. Transmission amongst separately housed mink suggests spread by fomites, respiratory droplets or aerosols [53] which is consistent with widespread detection of viral RNA during environmental sampling of infected premises [63]. Mink farms provide the only current source of evidence for maintenance of naturally acquired infection in an animal population and spillback to humans [71].…”

Section: Persistence and Spread In Wildlifementioning

confidence: 88%

“…Recent studies have considered the possibility that contamination of aquatic systems with faeces from infected humans could provide a route for spillover into wild mammals such as raccoons and bats [61], and marine species including cetaceans and seals [62]. The detection of viral RNA in bedding, air and water samples, on the feet of a gull and from live flies collected from SARS-CoV-2 infected mink farms shows the potential for environmental contamination on these premises [63].…”

Section: Host Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been detected in 'stray' cats in Wuhan during the Covid-19 outbreak consistent with human-to-cat transmission occurring outside the domestic setting [57], although possible cross-reactions with other coronaviruses need to be fully assessed. Also, the observation of infected 'stray' and pet cats in the vicinity of infected mink farms has raised the (as yet unconfirmed) possibility of inter-species transmission [53,63]. In addition, cats may theoretically be exposed to infection through interactions with their prey such as rabbits, rodents and bats.…”

Section: Felidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife

et al. 2021

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The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 likely emerged from a wildlife source with transmission to humans followed by rapid geographic spread throughout the globe and severe impacts on both human health and the global economy. Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been many instances of human-to-animal transmission involving companion, farmed and zoo animals, and limited evidence for spread into free-living wildlife. The establishment of reservoirs of infection in wild animals would create significant challenges to infection control in humans and could pose a threat to the welfare and conservation status of wildlife. We discuss the potential for exposure, onward transmission and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in an initial selection of wild mammals (bats, canids, felids, mustelids, great apes, rodents and cervids). Dynamic risk assessment and targeted surveillance are important tools for the early detection of infection in wildlife, and here we describe a framework for collating and synthesising emerging information to inform targeted surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife. Surveillance efforts should be integrated with information from public and veterinary health initiatives to provide insights into the potential role of wild mammals in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2.

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Section: Persistence and Spread In Wildlifementioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Host Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Felidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife

et al. 2021

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“…We have detected SARS-CoV-2 in the mesenteric lymph node, so it could be possible that these two animals had an active infection with SARS-CoV-2. The only explanation for the detection of the coronavirus in lymph nodes non related to the respiratory system [45] (in minks also produce respiratory problems [15]), is if the virus replicates and produces viremia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Outbreaks in American mink fur farms have been particularly common, being reported initially in the Netherlands [14] then noted in several other countries such as Denmark [15,16], France [17], Greece [18], Italy [19], Lithuania [20], Poland [20], Spain [21] or Sweden [22] and from North America, both Canada [23] and the United States [24] through infected workers [25]. Authorities in some of those countries have already started mass culling to prevent human spread of the virus from the animals [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Description of Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Two Wild American Minks (<em>Neovison vison</em>)

Aguiló-Gisbert¹,

Padilla-Blanco²,

Lizana³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19 , is considered a pathogen with animal origin, mainly transmitted human to human. It has been experimentally and naturally demonstrated that several animals can be infected by SARS-CoV-2. There are strong evidences that minks are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, since several cases of human to mink infection have been reported, and it has been suggested mink to human infection exists, which so far it is the most reliable example of a zoonotic event of COVID-19 . However, all these cases reported are form mink farms, with the exception of one case in the USA in which the virus was detected in a mink located in the wild, but it was demonstrated that the animal was infected on a fur farm. In the present work, we have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in two wild American minks (Neovison vison) in Valencian Community (Eastern Spain) during invasive species trapping campaigns. The animals were trapped from areas known for harbouring self-sustained populations, far away from the nearest fur farm. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in mesenteric lymph nodes samples by RT-PCR. A partial region of the Spike protein gene was amplified and sequence obtaining a 397 nt size sequence. Phylogenetic analysis shown that both sequences were identical to the consensus variant SARS CoV-2 sequence (from Wuhan). This research describes the first infection report of a true wild American mink not related to infected fur farms or direct contact with humans, which is believed to be the first example of wild animals in which SARS-CoV-2 has been detected.

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Animal models for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and pathology

Hong

Yang

et al. 2021

MedComm

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Current variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Lambda increase the capacity of infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which might disable the in-used therapies and vaccines. The COVID-19 has now put an enormous strain on health care system all over the world. Therefore, the development of animal models that can capture characteristics and immune responses observed in COVID-19 patients is urgently needed. Appropriate models could accelerate the testing of therapeutic drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we aim to summarize the current animal models for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including mice, hamsters, nonhuman primates, and ferrets, and discuss the details of transmission, pathology, and immunology induced by SARS-CoV-2 in these animal models. We hope this could throw light to the increased usefulness in fundamental studies of COVID-19 and the preclinical analysis of vaccines and therapeutic agents.

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SARS-CoV-2 in Danish Mink Farms: Course of the Epidemic and a Descriptive Analysis of the Outbreaks in 2020

Cited by 98 publications

References 17 publications

Assessing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife

Assessing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife

First Description of Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Two Wild American Minks (<em>Neovison vison</em>)

Animal models for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and pathology

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