Denmark will kill millions of minks due to the coronavirus mutation

In the country, 12 cases of human transmission of the mutated virus have been detected.

Denmark will slaughter around 15 million mink reared on its territory due to a covid-19 mutation that has already grown to 12 people, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced Wednesday.

The mutation “could pose a risk that future vaccines (against covid-19) won’t work as expected,” said Mette Frederiksen. “All minks must be slaughtered,” he added, representing between 15 and 17 million animals, according to authorities.

This mutation does not aggravate the complications caused by coronavirus in humans, but acts on antibodies, reducing their effectiveness, which adds a problem to the development of the coronavirus vaccine, according to Danish authorities.

“Continuing to breed these minks would pose a very high risk to public health, both in Denmark and abroad,” said Kåre Mølbak, head of the Danish Infectious Disease Control (SSI) authority.

The twelve cases of human transmission of the mutated virus have been detected in North (West) Jutland, where most of the breeding sites are concentrated.

Denmark is the world’s largest exporter of mink fur. The government has already launched a first mink slaughter campaign this summer after the first cases of the coronavirus were detected in herdsmen.