Mink Farming: A Looming Threat for Future Pandemics and the Ethical Quandary

MinkPhoto byMink/Wikipedia

Mink farming for fur is widespread, particularly in Europe, North America, and China, sparking ethical concerns. While cruelty in fur farming is well-documented, less attention has been given to the associated health risks, especially in mink farming.

The crowded conditions in fur farms create ideal environments for viruses with pandemic potential to spread and adapt to animals, particularly in the case of solitary carnivores like mink.

The study argues that mink farming, more than other fur farming, poses a significant risk for future disease outbreaks and pandemics. This overlooked issue needs serious consideration to prevent pathogen emergence in fur farming.

Risk Indicators of a Future Pandemic

Mink, susceptible to viruses shared with humans, became infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, in late 2020 in Europe and North America. These infections, along with mink-adapted viruses spreading to communities, exposed inadequate biosecurity in the industry. Some nations halted mink production, in the Netherlands, due to concerns.

Fortunately, mink-adapted variants from 2020 didn't outcompete human variants. However, many countries continued farming mink during the pandemic, creating potential reservoirs for distinct virus strains. This could pose a future risk, especially as immunity wanes in the older population. The scenario is reminiscent of the 2009 H1N1 influenza emergence from pigs.

SARS-CoV-2 also entered wild animals, like white-tailed deer, where human-origin lineages persisted. Researchers suggest that mink may serve as an intermediate host, transmitting the virus to wild animals. In summary, farmed mink remain potential intermediate hosts, raising ongoing zoonotic and spillback risks.

Pandemic Risk: The Role of Mink and Ferrets in Influenza

Mink and ferrets, both susceptible to influenza viruses, could play a role in the generation of the next influenza pandemic. Avian influenza viruses in mink have developed mammalian adaptations akin to those in human infections, notably in the virus polymerase, potentially facilitating pandemic development.

Recent incidents, such as a Spanish mink farm outbreak with avian influenza (H5N1), indicate a real danger. The unregulated nature of mink farms contrasts with the stringent control required for similar experiments in laboratories. Mink's susceptibility to both human and avian influenza could make them mixing vessels for reassortment, a path to pandemics.

Given this risk, fur farming, especially mink, should be eliminated for pandemic preparedness, akin to high-risk activities like the bushmeat trade and live animal markets. Stricter biosecurity and surveillance measures should be imposed on fur farms.

Photo byPrazanthy RameshonUnsplash

Study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2303408120