Two mink farms in Taylor County are under quarantines after animals in the facilities tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. The State Division of Animal Health confirmed the virus on the first farm in early October and placed the farm under quarantine. The outbreak on the second farm was found more recently. The Division of Animal Health does not think the first outbreak caused the second. It’s likely the virus jumped from a human to the animals, but an investigation is still underway. Minks are susceptible to the virus because of a protein in their lungs, which is similar to humans, said Kevin Hoffman, public information officer for the Division of Animal Health. Between the two farms, more than 5,400 mink have died.
Rural Reporter