Emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants from farmed mink to humans and back during the epidemic in Denmark, June-November 2020

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012039
• Publication Date: 2024-07-01T17:37:12Z
• Authors: Thomas Bruun Rasm...; Amanda Gammelby Q...; Anders Gorm Pedersen; Ann Sofie Olesen; Jannik Fonager; Morten Rasmussen; Raphael Niklaus S...; Marc Stegger; Francisco Fernand...; Marlies Jilles Fr...; Esben Rahbek Thuesen; Louise Lohse; Sten Mortensen; Anders Fomsgaard; Anette Boklund; Anette Bøtner; Graham J. Belsham
• Keywords: Pandemic; American mink

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) not only caused the COVID-19 pandemic but also had a major impact on farmed mink production in several European countries. In Denmark, entire population of (over 15 million animals) was culled late 2020. During period June to November 2020, 290 farms (out about 1100 country) were shown be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Genome sequencing identified changes virus within and it is estimated that 4000 people Denmark became these variants. However, routes transmission to, from, have been unclear. Phylogenetic analysis revealed generation multiple clusters mink. Detailed during replication and, parallel, human same time period, has performed here. majority cases involved variants Y453F substitution H69/V70 deletion Spike (S) protein; emerged early outbreak. further introductions virus, by lacking changes, from into occurred. Based phylogenetic viral genome data, we estimate, using conservative approach, 17 separate examples occurred up 59 such events (90% credible interval: (39-77)) parsimony count cross-species jumps trees inferred Bayesian methods. Using latter 136 (117-164)) humans found, which may underlie farm-to-farm spread. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 mink, between all observed.