A genetic mutation of Covid-19 has appeared, transmitted by mink. As a result, around 15 million mink will be slaughtered and 280,000 Danish inhabitants will be re-confined.
A genetic mutation in mink
A genetic mutation of Covid-19 would have appeared in these minks, having already infected 12 people. This mutation does not have a more serious effect on humans than the SARS-CoV-2 strain, but could be a threat to the future vaccine, as it reduces the effectiveness of the antibodies essential for healing. This new variant ” does not respond to antibodies as much as the normal virus. Antibodies still have an effect, but not as effective Explained Kåre Mølbak, head of the Danish Infectious Disease Control Authority (SSI). ” Continuing to breed mink would involve a much higher risk to public health, both in Denmark and abroad »He emphasizes. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen therefore said: “ The virus mutated via mink can create the risk that the future vaccine will not work as it should. It is necessary to slaughter all the mink “. Denmark, the world’s leading exporter of mink skins, will therefore slaughter all of the territory’s mink farming, ie between 15 and 17 million according to the authorities.
Confinement of 280,000 Danes
The 12 infected people live near most of the farms in North Jutland (west). Consequently, Denmark on Thursday announced restrictive measures for 4 weeks, in order to avoid new cases of this “Cluster 5”. “From this evening, the citizens of seven municipalities in North Jutland are urged to stay in their own municipality to prevent the spread of the infection,” announced Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Bars and restaurants have therefore been closed since this weekend.
