WVU specialist says transmission not a threat to humans
by Olivia Murray
OMurray@DominionPost.com
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected in farmed mink across the world, including in the United States, but according to a wildlife specialist at the West Virginia University Extension Service, that transmission is not considered a threat to humans.
The virus has spread outside of the farmed mink, however, as a wild mink tested positive for the virus near a farmed mink facility in Utah.
The ability of animal species to contract COVID-19 has already been established. In 2020, a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York tested positive for the virus. This was the first case of an animal in the United States testing positive for COVID-19. But it was not the last.
While the tiger and other affected large cats at the Bronx Zoo have since recovered, the CDC reported that several other animals have since contracted the virus.
In addition to the felines at the Bronx Zoo, a puma in South Africa, and snow leopards at a Kentucky zoo all previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
“A small number of pet cats and dogs have been reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 in several countries, including the United States. One ferret was reported positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Slovenia. Most of these pets became sick after contact with people with COVID-19,” the CDC stated.
Sheldon Owen, WVU wildlife specialist, said as mammals similar to weasels and river otters are prevalent in West Virginia, their ability to contract SARS-CoV-2 is not considered a particular threat to humans.
“Since the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 from wildlife is extremely low, we should not be concerned about catching COVID-19 from mink or any other wildlife found in West Virginia, especially if we take practical precautions. West Virginia hunters and trappers have a slightly higher risk because they have closer contact with wildlife. However, even if the animal is carrying the virus, infection can be prevented by taking commonsense precautions,” Owen said.
He also said there is not sufficient information regarding the mink’s ability to contract and transmit COVID-19 to determine its risk to other animal species. Owen said this exemplifies the urgency for increased research on COVID-19 and the role of wildlife in disease transmission.
“Another point is to look at the situation of farmed mink and other captive animals compared to their wild counterparts. We cannot compare transmission rates in these farmed mink outbreaks to what might happen in a wild population. Reports from the World Health Organization and the Danish Public Health Authority indicate that farmed mink can serve as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. They also noted that farmed mink can pass the virus between individuals and mink can pass the virus back to humans. However, more research needs to be conducted to determine the significance of this transmission cycle within both farmed and wild populations of mink,” Owen said.
Rich Rodgers, Fur-bearer program coordinator with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, agreed with Owen that more information on wildlife as disease reservoirs is needed and that the mink’s ability to act as a reservoir is not a threat to humans.
Rodgers said DNR staff have been alerted to the ability of mink to contract COVID-19 and will monitor the situation. He said DNR employees will wear gloves and masks when handling wildlife species for the protection of both the animals and the researchers involved.
Rodgers verified that, to the knowledge of the DNR, no wild mink or other wild animals have contracted the virus in West Virginia.
“[The transmission of COVID-19 from wildlife to humans] is probably pretty low, but nobody really knows. That’s one of the great unanswered questions so far. But it’s probably pretty low at this point, lower than negligible,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said considering the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic among humans, the main concern regarding mink and other wildlife becoming reservoirs for the virus is having a similar situation occur in the wild. Rodgers said this is “highly unlikely,” though.
Despite the low likelihood of serious harm being caused to wildlife or humans, Rodgers urges those in close contact with animals to follow safety protocols and take health precautions to further decrease any risk.
“Anybody handling animals this year with SARS-CoV-2 being so prevalent needs to be careful handling domestic animals, like in a veterinary office or zoo situation or wildlife researchers,” Rodgers said. “There are guidelines that have been provided by the CDC and a couple of other agencies as to how to safely do that.”
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