In an unprecedented decision, Denmark has decided to cull its entire mink population of up to 17 million after a mutation of the coronavirus found in the animals spread to humans, India Today reported.
Quoting health authorities, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said virus strains had been found in humans and in minks which showed decreased sensitivity against antibodies, potentially lowering the efficacy of future vaccines, the report added.
“We have a great responsibility towards our own population, but with the mutation that has now been found, we have an even greater responsibility for the rest of the world as well,” Frederiksen was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Denmark is Europe’s largest producer and exporter of mink furs.
According to Danish authorities, five cases of the new virus strain had been recorded on mink farms on Thursday and 12 cases in humans.
Despite repeated efforts to cull infected animals since June, outbreaks at mink farms have persisted in the Nordic country. Denmark’s police, army and home guard will be deployed to speed up the culling process, PM Frederiksen was quoted as saying.
Tougher lockdown restrictions and intensified tracing efforts will be implemented to contain the virus in some areas of Northern Denmark, home to a large number of mink farms, authorities said.
Meanwhile, according to a report in The Guardian, a Danish vaccine specialist has warned that a new wave of coronavirus could be started by the COVID-19 mink variant, the report said.
Amidst this development, Denmark on Thursday announced strict new lockdown rules in the north of the country.
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