Denmark has decided to cull all 17 million mink across more than 300 mink farms in the country as a precaution following the emergence of a new covid-19 variant infection. This mutated variant, ‘Cluster-5’, is believed to be resistant to vaccines currently being developed against covid-19.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that the mutation could threaten the effectiveness of a future vaccine. She said the mutated virus weakens the ability to form antibodies.
In North Jutland, twelve people have been infected with it, prompting authorities to impose travel restrictions and bans on some 300,000 residents of seven North Danish municipalities. Public transport in the region has been suspended, bars and restaurants closed, and some schoolchildren will also receive lessons online, with these restrictions expected to last for a month.
Danish mink farmers have opposed the government’s restrictions and conclusions, claiming they are being made scapegoats for the virus spread. On Friday, more than 100 mink farmers protested against the mink cull, which is expected to be completed in a few weeks. They point out that infections were detected at the end of September and have not occurred since then.
Some experts believe that culling mink could harm the fur trade and cost Danish farmers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost income. Further investigation into “Cluster 5” is ongoing, according to Danish officials.
The Stockholm-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Friday that it was "in close contact" with Danish health authorities on this matter. Scientists worldwide have noted that little is known about “Cluster 5” and are urging Danish authorities to share their research.
Danish health authorities have expressed concern that this strain, known as “Cluster 5,” is not as strongly inhibited by antibodies as the regular virus, and fear this could threaten the effectiveness of vaccines being developed around the world.