(WWJ) Some small animals have tested positive for the coronavirus at a farm in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) on Friday announced it has confirmed the recent discovery of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans — in mink at a Michigan mink farm.
While this finding is not the first case of the virus being identified in mink in the U.S., it is the first instance of the virus being confirmed among Michigan’s farmed mink population.
After several mink exhibited signs of illness and died on the farm, the owner submitted samples for diagnosis. The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory completed necropsies on two of the affected animals, which tested presumptive positive for SARS-CoV-2. The samples were then sent to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmatory testing.
While investigations into how the mink contracted the virus are ongoing, MDARD there is currently no evidence that animals, including mink, play a significant role in spreading the virus to humans in Michigan.
The Michigan farm is self-contained, has few staff, and prohibits domestic animals from being onsite, so the likelihood of the virus moving to wildlife, pets, or people is quite low. MDARD is working in cooperation with other local, state, and federal agencies on this response.
On Aug. 17, the USDA announced the first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in mink at farms in Utah. There has also been a confirmed case in Wisconsin, according to officials.
Worldwide, it has been known that mink are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 since the virus was discovered in mink on farms in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain. After monitoring the outbreaks abroad, USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state animal health and public health partners issued guidance for those who farm mink in the U.S.
Mink are farmed for their pelts. which are used to make fur coats and other garments. According to Fur Commission USA, approximately 275 mink farms in 23 states across the U.S. produce about 3 million pelts annually,
For more information about COVID-19 and animals, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 and Animals webpage.
Michigan residents can find the latest information and statistics about the COVID-19 pandemic at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
