A new type of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was first discovered in a wild animal. A mink caught in the US state of Utah tested positive, reports by the US National Veterinary Services and the International Society for Infectious Disease Control.
Scientists are reported to be concerned about the spread of the disease among minks living in the wild. The infected individual is so far the only identified carrier of the virus, other examined wild minks showed negative results.
It is noted that the strain found in wild minks is identical to that infecting minks on fur farms, and this animal was caught near one of these farms.
In November in Denmark decided to destroy all minks on fur farms to prevent the spread mutated coronavirus. In these animals, an infection was found that spreads to humans and contributes to the weakening of the ability to form antibodies. There are currently 12 registered people with this virus. At the end of the month, the killed minks “rose up” from the ground where they were buried : the bodies of animals swelled as a result of the formation of animal gases in them and rose to the surface.
World Health Organization confirmed the susceptibility of minks to coronavirus, making them dangerous to humans. Therefore, there is a risk that the population of these animals could facilitate transmission of the virus.