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 Kim Torchetti, Thomas J. DeLiberto
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.
Topics & Concepts
MinkOutbreakCoronavirusSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)VirologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)WildlifeTransmission (telecommunications)Biology2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVeterinary medicineMedicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseEcologyInternal medicineElectrical engineeringEngineeringSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchAnimal Virus Infections StudiesCOVID-19 epidemiological studies