A Virus Variant Seen in Mink Infected Four Americans


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Monday that at least four people in Michigan were infected with a mostly mink version of the coronavirus in the first year of the epidemic.

The cluster, which previously included only three cases, represents the first known instance of possible animal-to-human transmission of the virus in the United States.

Two of those infected were employees of a Michigan mink farm that suffered a coronavirus outbreak in October 2020. The other two had no known connection to the farm, suggesting that the mink variety was more widely circulated among residents at the time.

As director of the CDC’s Office of One Health, Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh said in an email Monday that the virus samples collected from the four individuals contained two mutations that scientists hypothesized could be signs of adaptation to the mink.

Mutations have been previously documented in European farm mink and humans associated with these farms.

“This suggests that the most likely hypothesis is that the workers became infected after coming into contact with the mink on the farm, in addition to mink farm workers who tested positive for Covid-19 after the mink herd began to experience illness and increased mortality rates.” Barton Behravesh said.

He noted, however, that this cannot be proven definitively.

“Since there is so little genetic sequence available from communities around the farm, it’s impossible to know for certain whether the mutations came from the mink on the farm or if they were already circulating in the community,” he said.

National Geographic reported for the first time fourth human caseAfter receiving government documents about the mink farm epidemic under the Freedom of Information Act.

Last year, The Detroit Free Press and Documenting Covid-19 project Reported in the first three casesIt involved two farm workers and a taxidermist with no known connection to the mink farm, according to emails obtained by the two organizations.

They reported on Monday fourth case She had been the taxidermist’s wife.

In early October 2020, Michigan officials announced He said the virus was detected in a mink at a local farm and several animals died. At the request of the state, the CDC commissioned a team to assist with the investigation of the outbreak.

Dr. Barton Behravesh said the researchers collected samples from animals on the farm and human workers, as well as people in the surrounding community. In March 2021, the CDC updated the website to note “few people” had contracted a version of the virus that “contains unique mink-related mutations.”

“This indicates that mink-to-human spread may have occurred,” the agency said, noting that all human patients have recovered.

But the first human cases in two workers at the affected mink farm were detected as early as November 4, months before the agency updated its website, National Geographic reports.

Dr. “CDC became aware of genetic sequencing data in late 2020 indicating possible mink-to-human transmission,” said Barton Behravesh.

The agency then worked with other federal and state officials to analyze this data, adding: “As soon as it became clear that mink-to-human transmission is likely, the information was published on the CDC website.”

Mink-to-human transmission Also reported in Denmarkin the Netherlands and elsewhere.

In general, transmission of the virus from animals to humans is believed to be rare. Experts say humans are much more likely to spread the virus to one another or to other species than to catch it from animals.



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