Preliminary report of an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in mink and mink farmers associated with community spread, Denmark, June to November 2020
Helle Daugaard Larsen, Jannik Fonager, Frederikke Kristensen Lomholt, Tine Dalby, Guido Benedetti, Brian Kristensen, Tinna Ravnholt Urth, Morten Rasmussen, Ria Lassaunière, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Bertel Strandbygaard, Louise Lohse, Manon Chaine, Karina Lauenborg Møller, Ann-Sofie Nicole Berthelsen, Sarah Kristine Nørgaard, Ute Wolff Sönksen, Anette Boklund, Anne Sofie Hammer, Graham J. Belsham, Tyra Grove Krause, Sten Mortensen, Anette Bøtner, Anders Fomsgaard, Kåre Mølbak
Abstract
In June-November 2020, SARS-CoV-2-infected mink were detected in 290 of 1,147 Danish mink farms. In North Denmark Region, 30% (324/1,092) of people found connected to mink farms tested SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive and approximately 27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25-30) of SARS-CoV-2-strains from humans in the community were mink-associated. Measures proved insufficient to mitigate spread. On 4 November, the government ordered culling of all Danish mink. Farmed mink constitute a potential virus reservoir challenging pandemic control.