Denmark records SARS-CoV-2 infections that are associated with farmed minks

Denmark records SARS-CoV-2 infections that are associated with farmed minks

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Biodiversity

In news

• Denmark, which has recorded more than 55,000 cases of COVID-19, has also recorded over 200 human cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants that are associated with farmed minks.

Important value additions 

Mink

• These are dark-colored, semiaquatic, carnivorous mammals. 
• Genera: Neovison and Mustela. 
• Family: Mustelidae. 
• This family also includes weasels, otters and ferrets.
• There are two extant species referred to as “mink”: the American mink and the European mink.
• The European mink is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered due to an ongoing reduction in numbers.

Do you know? 

• Denmark is the world’s largest mink producer, with a 15-17 million strong mink population across 1,100 farms.