Cats, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, racoon dogs, and white-tailed deer can also spread the infection to other animals of the same species in laboratory settings.Ī number of studies have investigated non-human primates as models for human infection. Recent experimental research shows that many mammals, including cats, dogs, bank voles, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, mink, pigs, rabbits, racoon dogs, tree shrews, and white-tailed deer can be infected with the virus. These findings were based on a small number of animals, and do not show whether animals can spread infection to people.
Many studies have been done to learn more about how this virus can affect different animals. More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19. These results highlight the importance of routinely studying the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 in susceptible animal populations like mink, as well as in people.To confirm the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from mink to people, public health officials would need more information on the epidemiology and genetics of the virus in mink, mink farm workers, and the communities around mink farms.
Finding these mutations in mink on the Michigan farm is not unexpected because they have been seen before in mink from farms in the Netherlands and Denmark, and also in people linked to mink farms worldwide.This suggests mink-to-human spread might have occurred. Investigations found that mink from a Michigan farm and a small number of people were infected with SARS-CoV-2 that contained unique mink-related mutations (changes in the virus’s genetic material).Mink-to-human spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Poland, and new data suggest it might have occurred in the United States. However, there is a possibility of mink spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people on mink farms. One wild and one escaped mink found near affected farms in Utah were found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2.Ĭurrently, there is no evidence that mink play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to people. Once the virus is introduced on a farm, spread can occur between mink, as well as from mink to other animals on the farm (dogs, cats). Infected workers likely introduced SARS-CoV-2 to mink on the farms, and the virus then began to spread among the mink. However, some infected mink might also appear healthy. In the United States, respiratory disease and increases in mink deaths have been seen on most affected mink farms. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in mink on farms in multiple countries. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in farmed mink worldwide. Currently, there is no evidence that mink are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID-19 to people. Interim recommendations for intake of companion animals from households where humans with COVID-19 are present external icon.Reducing Risk of Spreading COVID-19 between People and Wildlife.
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states.įor information on how to protect pets and animals: