Dozens of viruses, some of which can be transmitted to humans, have been detected in fur farms in China.
- Nearly 125 viruses, including 36 new species, have been detected in fur-bearing animals in China.
- 39 of these viruses pose a high risk of transmission between species, including to humans.
- The study’s leaders called for more rigorous monitoring of fur farms to prevent the risk of another viral pandemic.
Commonly bred for their fur, visions, muskrats and raccoon dogs could pose a new global threat. The cause? About 125 viruses, some of them new species, have been identified in fur farms in China, according to a new study published in the journal Nature.
About 36 new viruses discovered in farms
For the purposes of this research, the scientific team sequenced the genetic material of lung and intestinal samples from 461 fur-bearing animals that died from disease between 2021 and 2024. The majority of the animals were farmed, but around 50 were wild animals.
According to their results, the researchers identified 125 species of viruses in animals, including 36 new ones. They also indicated that 39 of these viruses pose a high risk of transmission between species, including to humans.
Call for ‘greater oversight’ of fur farms
Nearly seven species of coronavirus have been detected in animals, including the pipistrelle coronavirus HKU5, which is of particular concern to Edward Holmes, a virologist who has conducted studies on Covid-19. This pathogen had already been detected in bats, but it was identified for the first time in the lungs of two farmed minks. However, this virus is a relative of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, which is potentially deadly for humans. ““The pipistrelle coronavirus HKU5 should be placed on a watch list immediately. Its passage from bats to farmed mink should serve as a warning signal”warned the co-author of this new research.
During this work, the scientists also found the presence of three subtypes of the influenza A virus – H1N2, H5N6 and H6N2 – in the lungs of mink and muskrat.
In light of these initial findings, the team called for more rigorous monitoring of fur farms in China and around the world to reduce the risk of spread to humans. “The fur trade could easily spawn another viral pandemic”Edward Holmes told AFP.
