Strong Evidence of Zoonotic COVID-19 Transmission: Research Study Shows SARS-CoV-2 Jumped In Between Individuals and Mink
By European Society of Scientific Microbiology and Contagious Illness
October 2, 2020
A research study examining SARS-CoV-2 infections across 16 mink farms in the Netherlands, presented at the ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease (ECCVID, held online from September 23-25, 2020) shows that the infection most likely jumped between individuals and mink and back, supplying strong evidence that animal to human (zoonotic) transmission is possible.
The study is by a group of Dutch veterinary science specialists including Dr Bas Oude Munnink (ErasmusMC), Teacher Wim van der Poel (Wageningen University and Research Centre), Teacher Arjan Stegeman (Utrecht University) Prof Marion Koopmans (ErasmusMC) and Reina Sikkema (ErasmusMC).
The specific origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still unidentified, although various theories have been put forward. Just recently, several outbreaks in mink farms (including mink of the Neovison vison types) in the Netherlands have actually demonstrated that mink are also prone to SARS-CoV-2.
The authors did a thorough investigation of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and humans living or dealing with these farms, using whole-genome sequencing to underpin sources of transmission. They explain SARS-CoV-2 infections on 16 farms, with over 720,000 animals. In total, 66 of 97 (67%) individuals evaluated had proof for SARS-CoV-2 infection, either by PCR or serology. All individuals checked had a direct link to a contaminated mink farm.
The authors say: “Due to longitudinal follow up of the first 4 farms, we have strong evidence that at least 2 individuals on those farms were contaminated by minks. Based on our research we can not make certain conclusions on the direction of most of the infections, so we do not know the total number of individuals that were infected by minks.
They include: “Hereditary analysis of SARS-CoV-2 from the human staff members on the farms showed they were the very same as those discovered in mink, and were not identical to those found in unassociated SARS-CoV-2 clients residing in the area of farms. Genetic sequences from each of the infected mink farms fell into one of 5 unique clusters, showing transmission between various mink farms.”
They conclude: “Additional research will be required to determine the routes of transmission. We conclude that at least some of these staff members are very likely to have been infected straight from contaminated mink and thereby explain the very first tested zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans. Close partnership between human and animal health departments is important for early identification and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections.”
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