TY - JOUR
T1 - Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms between humans and mink and back to humans
AU - Oude Munnink, Bas B
AU - Sikkema, Reina S
AU - Nieuwenhuijse, David F
AU - Molenaar, Robert Jan
AU - Munger, Emmanuelle
AU - Molenkamp, Richard
AU - van der Spek, Arco
AU - Tolsma, Paulien
AU - Rietveld, Ariene
AU - Brouwer, Miranda
AU - Bouwmeester-Vincken, Noortje
AU - Harders, Frank
AU - Hakze-van der Honing, Renate
AU - Wegdam-Blans, Marjolein C A
AU - Bouwstra, Ruth J
AU - GeurtsvanKessel, Corine
AU - van der Eijk, Annemiek A
AU - Velkers, Francisca C
AU - Smit, Lidwien A M
AU - Stegeman, Arjan
AU - van der Poel, Wim H M
AU - Koopmans, Marion P G
N1 - Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY).
PY - 2021/1/8
Y1 - 2021/1/8
N2 - Animal experiments have shown that non-human primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and bats can be infected by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation using whole genome sequencing of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and the humans living or working on these farms. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced from humans and has since evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period several weeks prior to detection. Despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance and immediate culling of infected farms, transmission occurred between mink farms in three big transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the tested mink farm residents, employees and/or contacts had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Where whole genomes were available, these persons were infected with strains with an animal sequence signature, providing evidence of animal to human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within mink farms.
AB - Animal experiments have shown that non-human primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and bats can be infected by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation using whole genome sequencing of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and the humans living or working on these farms. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced from humans and has since evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period several weeks prior to detection. Despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance and immediate culling of infected farms, transmission occurred between mink farms in three big transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the tested mink farm residents, employees and/or contacts had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Where whole genomes were available, these persons were infected with strains with an animal sequence signature, providing evidence of animal to human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within mink farms.
U2 - 10.1126/science.abe5901
DO - 10.1126/science.abe5901
M3 - Article
C2 - 33172935
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 371
SP - 172
EP - 177
JO - Science (New York, N.Y.)
JF - Science (New York, N.Y.)
IS - 6525
ER -