COVID-19 detected on multiple Dutch mink farms
Mink have tested positive with COVID-19
Mink have tested positive with COVID-19 at multiple mink farms in the Netherlands. The mink showed various symptoms including respiratory problems. Some employees had symptoms of the coronavirus. It seems the infection started there.
Research since has shown that mink on the farms have transmitted the virus to each other. It is also plausible that employees have been infected by mink. A mandatory screening of all Dutch mink farms has been instituted and mink farms infected with the coronavirus are culled as of 5 June.
Possible spread from mink to employee
Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) reports in a letter to parliament dated 19 May that it is plausible that one of the employees was infected with the coronavirus by mink. In a second letter dated 25 May, she announced that it is plausible another infection of an employee via mink took place.
Reporting obligation for mink
As of 26 April, a reporting obligation has been installed by Minister Schouten for mink farmers, veterinarians and persons in research institutions. Cases of respiratory problems and increased mortality in mink, must be reported to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Since other animals in livestock farming do not appear to be susceptible to the virus, a notification requirement is now only imposed for mink.