Mink © AFP=News1
Finland’s food authority said it ordered the culling of 50,000 mink and foxes from three fur farms on the 1st (local time). This is because mink can become a host of the avian influenza (flu) virus, increasing the possibility of virus mutation unfavorable to humans.
According to Reuters, authorities said that “mink is a particularly problematic species when it comes to avian influenza infection,” and that mink could be an effective intermediate host, making human infection easier.
This year Finland and Norway are swept by the H5N1 virus mutation that causes avian influenza. The virus has killed thousands of gulls and other species of birds, endangered livestock, and imposed travel restrictions in some areas.
This year, avian influenza was found on 20 fur farms in Finland as of the end of July. According to the Food Authority, samples from four other farms (in addition to the three farms ordered to kill them) are currently being analyzed, with additional kill orders being prepared this week.
Minks were slaughtered on a large scale due to concerns that infected minks could transmit the Corona 19 virus to humans even during the COVID-19 period.
kym@news1.kr
2023-08-01 16:31:28
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