More than 15 million minks are currently raised on more than 1,000 farms in Denmark, and hundreds of farms have detected SARS-CoV-2 infections among their minks, including more than 200 farms in Jutland, mainland Denmark, according to the Corporation. of Danish Broadcasting.
In this spread, new genetic mutations of the coronavirus have appeared that may or may not change the way it infects cells or the ease with which it spreads; Hence, Danish authorities have raised concerns that if the mutated virus spreads between humans , the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development might not work as well against the new variant.
Research by the State Serum Institute suggests that, in infected people, the mutated virus shows "reduced susceptibility to antibodies," but no details have been shared on how that conclusion was reached.
At the moment, there is not enough information to determine whether or not the variant presents a significant problem for the population . At the moment, some infected minks show no obvious symptoms, while others may develop a runny nose, shortness of breath and even pneumonia, according to data from the journal Science, and Denmark has ordered the entire mink herd to be euthanized, which amounts to between 15 and 17 Millions of animals, after the emergence of this mutation that they believe could put the vaccine against COVID-19 at risk.
