ECDC To Assess Risk Associated with Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Mink Farms

Credit ECDC

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While the seriousness, and public health implications of this week's announced SARS-CoV-2 variant - which recently emerged in farmed mink in Denmark and has infected at least a dozen people - has yet to be determined, it hasn't taken very long for reactions to roll in from major public health organizations around the globe. 

Last night, the World Health Organization released a lengthy Statement On SARS-CoV-2 Mink-associated Variant Strain – Denmark, and this morning we have a brief announcement from the ECDC on their intention to produce a Rapid Risk Analysis in the coming days.

While the internet is abuzz with `worst case scenarios', it will probably take days - or perhaps even weeks - before we can know the likely impact of this latest development. Regardless of its importance, we can't assume that this is the last `shoe that will drop' with regards to COVID, either. 

ECDC to assess risk associated with spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms

News story
6 Nov 2020
 
ECDC will assess the human implications of an extensive spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms in Denmark, where by 3 November 197 farms had been affected in the country. Denmark is currently implementing strong control measures, including culling, restrictions of movement of people living in nearby areas and enhanced testing among the general population.

When the virus is introduced into a mink farm, it can spread quickly, leading to many cases among mink. Due to the large number of infections and possibly due to biological differences between mink and humans, the virus can accumulate mutations. Such variants have the possibility to spread back into the human population.

The Danish public health agency, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), has identified seven unique mutations in the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in mink. This variant has also been identified in human cases. The possibility of an antigenic mutation in SARS-CoV-2 may have implications for immunity, reinfections and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, but there is currently a high level of uncertainty over this. Further analyses and scientific studies are needed to better understand the identified mutations and their potential implications.

ECDC is in close contact with Danish public health authorities on the issue and will publish a Rapid Risk Assessment on the situation by 12 November 2020.

For more information, please see the Risk Assessment issued by SSI on 3 November.