OmniVira

SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Escaped Mink, Utah, USA.

Susan A Shriner Jeremy W Ellis J Jeffrey Root Annette Roug Scott R Stopak Gerald W Wiscomb Jared R Zierenberg Hon S Ip Mia K Torchetti Thomas J DeLiberto
PMID33622465 DOI10.3201/eid2703.204444 Year2021 Journal Emerging infectious diseases Emerg Infect Dis Languageeng Publication statusActive
Active Last checked 2026-10-05 03:30:31 Source: NCBI PubMed

Abstract

In August 2020, outbreaks of coronavirus disease were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA. We surveyed mammals captured on and around farms for evidence of infection or exposure. Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, exhibited high antibody titers, suggesting a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission pathway to native wildlife.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
American mink 1 coronavirus disease 15 COVID-19 470 farm 1 fur 1 Neovison vison 2 outbreak 13 respiratory infections 31 rodents 12 SARS-CoV-2 556 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 20 spillover 109 viruses 120 zoonoses 482 Animals 1981 Animals, Wild 193 COVID-19 427 Farms 30 Mammals 92 Mink 48 SARS-CoV-2 456 Utah 4 Zoonoses 401

Evidence records

3 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
2 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Serological Evidence
2 records
OVE4557 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, showed high antibody titers indicating serological exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
American mink Neogale vison Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, exhibited high antibody titers, suggesting a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission pathway to native wildlife.

Method
antibody titration | serological assay
Sample type
serum
OVE4558 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Free-ranging mink with high SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers suggest potential transmission to native wildlife near mink farms in Utah, USA.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
American mink Neogale vison Natural host
Location
United States
Supporting text

In August 2020, outbreaks of coronavirus disease were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA. Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, exhibited high antibody titers, suggesting a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission pathway to native wildlife.

Method
serologic testing for antibody titers
Transmission Evidence
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Outbreak Investigation
1 records
OVE4556 Outbreak Investigation
Key finding

Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA, in August 2020.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
American mink Neogale vison Natural host
Location
United States
Supporting text

In August 2020, outbreaks of coronavirus disease were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA.

Method
outbreak confirmation
Transmission direction
same-species transmission
Geographic raw
Utah, USA
Country inferred
USA
Outbreak setting
mink farms
Outbreak time
August 2020