Ferret Owners Warned: Avoid (And Don't Kiss) Your Pets If You Think You Have COVID-19

Ferret owners in Europe have likely shivered at the news that millions of animals looking much like their own animals are being put down across the continent as a dangerous COVID-19 mutation has spread among the mink population in fur farms. 

Just like mink, ferrets are also susceptible to COVID-19, which has a very similar effect on them as on humans, causing difficulties breathing that tend to be worse for older individuals.

Mink and ferrets belong to the same family of carnivorous mammals, which also includes otters, weasels and badgers – the Mustelidae family. Of all Mustelinae - a subfamily of Mustelidae - ferrets and mink are the most similar-looking, but the difference between them is significant.

To read more on this story, click here: Ferret Owners Warned: Avoid (And Don't Kiss) Your Pets If You Think You Have COVID-19

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A Mink in Utah is the First Known Case of the Coronavirus in a wild Animal

 

There is no evidence of widespread transmission among wild animals

A wild American mink in Utah has tested positive for the coronavirus — the first wild animal found to be infected with the virus, researchers say.  

The wild mink was infected with a variant of the coronavirus that was “indistinguishable” from viruses taken from nearby farmed minks, researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture wrote in a Dec. 13 report. That suggests that the wild mink acquired the infection from farmed animals. It’s not clear if the animal was alive or dead at the time of testing.

To read more on this story, click here: A Mink in Utah is the First Known Case of the Coronavirus in a wild Animal

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Mink Coronavirus Infection in Denmark Sparks Plan to Put Down 15 Million Animals

BERLIN — Denmark, one of the largest fur producers in the world, plans to put down every mink in the country to contain a mutated strain of coronavirus that has infected workers in the industry and could threaten global efforts to find a vaccine.

The Danish government announced this week that it would expand plans for a more limited cull and put down around 15 million minks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Wednesday it was a “heavy decision” but the situation required “resolute action.”

To read more on this story, click here: Mink Coronavirus Infection in Denmark Sparks Plan to Put Down 15 Million Animals

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