First Covid-19 positive wild mink discovered: lives near a fur farm in the USA

In the US, the first case of a free wild animal tested positive for coronavirus has been discovered. It's an American mink

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Not just zoos and farms. Wild minks can also contract Covid. This was confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture. Notably, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) discovered the first free wild animal case tested positive for coronavirus. It's a American mink.

Minks are proving to be the most Covid-prone species, after humans. For this reason, unfortunately, these animals locked up in farms all over the world are brutally killed. Now for the first time there is news of a contagion detected in nature.

It is always the fault of the farms

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducted a series of wildlife surveillance analyzes in certain species that inhabit areas where infected mink farms in Utah are located. , in Michigan and Wisconsin. From August to October, health authorities swabbed wild animals.

“There is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is circulating or has been established in wild populations surrounding infected mink farms. Several animals from different wildlife species were sampled, but all others were negative, ”the USDA points out.

All but one. A American mink tested positive to two different tests. This animal, (Neovison vison), is a semi-aquatic species of mustelid native to North America.

The finding ignites new fears and in particular concerns that the infection could spread among wild minks, said Dr Dan Horton, a veterinarian at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. The case

"It reinforces the need to undertake wildlife surveillance and remain vigilant," he added.

Even a snow leopard found positive in a zoo

While monitoring wild animals is difficult, it is less so for those in captivity. And unfortunately there are more and more cases of creatures locked up in zoos and infected. The last case concerns the lions of the Barcelona zoo. But even overseas the situation is identical and shows i limits of captivity, even more so during a pandemic.

In the US, the coronavirus has also been found in tigers, lions and now also in a snow leopard, locked up at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

“This is the first snow leopard in the United States to test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 test. Confirmation tests are underway at the zoo for two other leopards. Samples were taken from three snow leopards after they showed signs of respiratory disease. All three should make a full recovery. It is suspected that they contracted the infection from an asymptomatic staff member, despite the precautions taken by the zoo, ”explains the Usda.

First Covid-19 positive wild mink discovered: lives near a fur farm in the USA

©USDA

Such animals are doubly victims: on the one hand they live locked up inside a zoo, far from their natural habitat; moreover, in these confined spaces they risk getting sick and contracting infections such as Covid-19.

“We are still learning about SARS-CoV-2 in animals, but there is currently no evidence that they play a significant role in spreading the virus to people. Based on the information available, the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered low, ”explains the USDA.

The opposite seems more likely, namely that it is humans who infect animals during close contact. We are a danger to them, especially in zoos.

Sources of reference: BBC, Promedmail, Aphis Usda