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. 2021 Jan 8;371(6525):172-177.
doi: 10.1126/science.abe5901. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms between humans and mink and back to humans

Bas B Oude Munnink  1 , Reina S Sikkema  2 , David F Nieuwenhuijse  2 , Robert Jan Molenaar  3 , Emmanuelle Munger  2 , Richard Molenkamp  2 , Arco van der Spek  4 , Paulien Tolsma  5 , Ariene Rietveld  6 , Miranda Brouwer  6 , Noortje Bouwmeester-Vincken  7 , Frank Harders  8 , Renate Hakze-van der Honing  8 , Marjolein C A Wegdam-Blans  9 , Ruth J Bouwstra  3 , Corine GeurtsvanKessel  2 , Annemiek A van der Eijk  2 , Francisca C Velkers  10 , Lidwien A M Smit  11 , Arjan Stegeman  10 , Wim H M van der Poel  8 , Marion P G Koopmans  2
Affiliations

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms between humans and mink and back to humans

Bas B Oude Munnink et al. Science. .

Abstract

Animal experiments have shown that nonhuman primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits, and bats can be infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink, and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation using whole-genome sequencing of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and the humans living or working on these farms. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced by humans and has since evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period, several weeks before detection. Despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance, and immediate culling of animals in affected farms, transmission occurred between mink farms in three large transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. Of the tested mink farm residents, employees, and/or individuals with whom they had been in contact, 68% had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals for which whole genomes were available were shown to have been infected with strains with an animal sequence signature, providing evidence of animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within mink farms.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Phylogenetic analysis of mink farm NB1.
A maximum likelihood analysis was performed using all available SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the Netherlands. Sequences from NB1 are depicted in red, and the employee of NB1 is shown in bold. The two sequences in black at the root of the cluster are the closest-matching human genome sequences from the national SARS-CoV-2 sequence database. The scale bar represents units of substitutions per site.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Maximum likelihood analysis of all SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the Netherlands.
Sequences derived from minks from different farms are indicated with different colors, human sequences related to the mink farms are shown in blue, and samples from similar areas (as determined by four-digit postal code) are shown in magenta. The scale bar represents units of substitutions per site.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Phylogenetic analysis of 88 mink and 18 mink-related human SARS-CoV-2 sequences detected in the five mink farm clusters.
Sequences derived from different farms are depicted in different colors. The scale bar represents units of substitutions per site.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Geographic overview of mink farms with SARS-CoV-2–positive cases per affected municipality.
The proportion of SARS-CoV-2–affected mink farms over the total number of mink farms (Central Bureau of Statistics database, 2019) is indicated for each area. Symbols for farms with positive cases are colored by cluster; non-circular shapes indicate farms with a single owner.
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