The Utah Department of Health and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food are continuing to work with federal partners to address the confirmed cases of SARS-Co-V2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people, at Utah mink farms last year.
According to a joint press release from the departments, the findings are encouraging so far. Wild and domestic animals on and around the farm were tested for the virus after the outbreak began with the mink. Positive specimens were found in dogs and feral cats and one feral mink.
Losses of mink on the impacted farms approached 50% of the breeding population, but there were no deaths associated with the virus in other species.
Although it is believed the virus spread to the mink from human contact, the press release stated that “at this time, based on extensive epidemiologic investigations, there has been no evidence to date of spread from mink to people in Utah.” All affected farms remain under quarantine until further notice.
