Oregon Farm Put Under Quarantine After Mink Tests Positive for COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Service Laboratory confirmed that 10 samples of mink tested positive for COVID-19. 

It has been well-known and established that COVID-19 can only be spread through human transmission via respiratory droplets or aerosol.

Though there were studies in the past that revealed animals can test positive for the virus, there is little evidence that they can transmit the virus to humans and vice versa. 

The Oregon Department of Agriculture submitted 10 samples of mink suspected of having COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Service Laboratory ran the test and confirmed that all samples submitted tested positive for COVID-19, reported by Oda News.

Officials placed farm under quarantine

According to Fox News, the Oregon Department of Agriculture submitted the samples after a farmer reported that he is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The report also added that there were reported COVID-19 cases among the staff on the farm. 

The Oregon Department of Agriculture placed immediately the farm under quarantine. This is to ensure the safety of the employees and to make sure that the virus will not spread. The website of ODA also stated that this is the first case of COVID-19 in mink in the state. 

Meanwhile, ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said, "We have been engaged with the Oregon mink industry for some time, providing information on biosecurity to prevent the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 and were ready to respond."

Read also: Our Pets and COVID-19: Can We Infect Each Other? 

He also added that the farmer did the right thing by self-reporting symptoms very early and he is now cooperating with the state's agency.

On the other hand, the Oregon Health Authority is now taking care of the animals and the staff on the farm. 

Dr. Scholz added that there are no reports of mink mortalities so far that can be linked to COVID-19, but the state veterinarian also said that this could change as the days progress.

Oregon agencies also ensure that they will continue to monitor the farm and its employees, as well as anyone they came in contact with.

Thousands of mink culled to prevent COVID-19 spread

Infections of COVID-19 among the mink is not a local issue. This has been globally known and debated in different countries.

In fact, some countries decided to cull millions of mink in an attempt to stop the spread of the infectious and deadly COVID-19. 

Aside from Oregon, there are other states in the country that reported COVID-19 infections among the mink.

These are the states of Utah, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Additionally, countries such as Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the U.S. now join Denmark in noting the presence of COVID-19 among mink farms. 

Dutch officials said that they noted the presence of COVID-19 in two mink farms in the country as early as April.

Meanwhile, Spain detected the presence of the virus in July. This led them to cull around 100,000 minks to stop the spread of the virus.

Overall, both Denmark and Spain governments culled around one million mink at farms across two countries. 

Read also: Pets and COVID-19: CDC Releases New COVID-19 Guidelines for Human-Pet Interactions