COVID-19 kills ‘unusually large number’ of mink in Utah, USDA officials say

An “unusually large number” of mink died at two farms in Utah. They had the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, officials said.

These are the first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus — in mink in the U.S., the United States Department of Agriculturesaid Monday.

”The affected farms also reported positive cases of COVID-19 in people who had contact with the mink,” the USDA said in a news release.

The animals’ deaths caused the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to complete necropsies on the animals, USDA said. The mink tested presumptive positive for the virus, according to officials.

“Mink were known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, as the virus was discovered in mink on multiple farms in the Netherlands,” USDA said. “Those affected farms also experienced an increase in mink deaths. Affected mink farms have also been identified in Spain and Denmark.”

There is no evidence that animals “play a significant role in” the spread of coronavirus to people, officials said. The risk is low, and more studies are needed to understand if animals play a role in spreading COVID-19.

More than two dozen animals have tested positive for the virus in the U.S., according to the USDA. In April, multiple lions and tigers tested positive for the coronavirus at the Bronx Zoo, McClatchy News reported. Two cats also were the first pets in the country to test positive for the coronavirus, according to McClatchy News.

“We are still learning about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 in people, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations,” USDA said. “A small number of animals worldwide, have been reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 3:13 PM with the headline "COVID-19 kills ‘unusually large number’ of mink in Utah, USDA officials say."