Minks Are Carrying a New Kind of COVID

Denmark is the world’s largest producer of mink fur, with its mink farms holding about 40 percent on the world’s total population of the small furry mammal. At the beginning of November, the Scandinavian country has decreed that their mink population will be culled. This will involve the killing of millions of minks, which will cost Denmark almost $800 million USD.

Denmark discovered that minks are carriers of COVID-19, and that they have even spread the virus to humans. Moreover, researchers have found that the strain of COVID-19 found in minks has mutated. The virus’ spike protein has changed, which has several implications. It could mean that this strain will be immune to the ongoing vaccine research, or any other attempts to treat the virus. It could also indicate an increase in the virulency of the virus. It could also mean nothing at all. At the time of writing this article, there is much to be known about this new strain of coronavirus and whether or not it’s something to be concerned about.