Copyright euroweeklynews
Denmark has imposed strict regional lockdowns in at least seven municipalities after health authorities detected a COVID-19 mutation linked to mink farms, according to a rapid risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). According to the ECDC, as of early November 2020, 214 human cases were identified with SARS-CoV-2 variants related to mink. These variants all carried a mutation named Y453F in the virus’s spike protein – an alteration believed to have emerged in mink populations and then spread to humans. Cluster 5: Mutations spark alarm Among the cases, a specific subtype known as “Cluster 5” has raised particular concern. This variant features four genetic changes in the spike protein – three amino-acid substitutions and one deletion. Preliminary laboratory tests using blood samples from previously infected people showed an average 3.6-fold reduction in neutralising antibodies against the Cluster 5 variant, compared to the common SARS-CoV-2 strain. While this does not necessarily render current or future vaccines ineffective, the ECDC warns that the reduced sensitivity “could have an impact on antibody-mediated immunity.” Moreover, the existence of a mink reservoir could lead to further virus adaptations over time. Lockdowns and culling underway In response, Danish authorities have taken aggressive public health steps. Movement restrictions have been imposed in the affected northern municipalities, and all farmed mink in the country are being culled to stop the spread of the virus. These measures are meant to limit the risk of continued “spill-over” between mink and humans. At the same time, the ECDC is calling for enhanced surveillance, regular testing, and genomic sequencing among both mink and human populations to monitor the situation closely. Uncertainty remains Health authorities emphasise that the findings are preliminary, and more research is needed to fully understand the new variants’ implications. The ECDC has noted there is “a high level of uncertainty” around how these mutations might affect virus transmissibility, disease severity, or vaccine effectiveness. Even so, the existence of the mink-linked variants and their potential to evade immune responses has triggered swift action. The culling of farmed mink, combined with targeted lockdowns and expanded testing, underscores the seriousness with which Danish and European health authorities are taking the threat.
