Adaptation, spread and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed minks and associated humans in the Netherlands

Lu Lu, Reina S. Sikkema, Francisca C. Velkers, David F. Nieuwenhuijse, Egil A. J. Fischer, Paola A. Meijer, Noortje Bouwmeester-Vincken, Ariene Rietveld, Marjolijn C. A. Wegdam-Blans, Paulien Tolsma, Marco Koppelman, Lidwien A. M. Smit, Renate W. Hakze- van der Honing, Wim H. M. van der Poel, Arco N. van der Spek, Marcel A. H. Spierenburg, Robert Jan Molenaar, Jan de Rond, Marieke Augustijn, Mark Woolhouse, J. Arjan Stegeman, Samantha Lycett, Bas B. Oude Munnink and Marion P. G. Koopmans ()
Additional contact information
Lu Lu: University of Edinburgh
Reina S. Sikkema: WHO Collaborating Centre
Francisca C. Velkers: Utrecht University
David F. Nieuwenhuijse: WHO Collaborating Centre
Egil A. J. Fischer: Utrecht University
Paola A. Meijer: Utrecht University
Noortje Bouwmeester-Vincken: Municipal Health Service GGD Limburg-Noord
Ariene Rietveld: Municipal Health Service GGD Hart voor Brabant
Marjolijn C. A. Wegdam-Blans: Stichting PAMM
Paulien Tolsma: Municipal Health Service GGD Brabant-Zuidoost
Marco Koppelman: Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation
Lidwien A. M. Smit: Utrecht University
Renate W. Hakze- van der Honing: Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
Wim H. M. van der Poel: Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
Arco N. van der Spek: Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
Marcel A. H. Spierenburg: Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
Robert Jan Molenaar: GD Animal Health
Jan de Rond: GD Animal Health
Marieke Augustijn: GD Animal Health
Mark Woolhouse: University of Edinburgh
J. Arjan Stegeman: Utrecht University
Samantha Lycett: University of Edinburgh
Bas B. Oude Munnink: WHO Collaborating Centre
Marion P. G. Koopmans: WHO Collaborating Centre

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), SARS-CoV-2 was detected in farmed minks and genomic sequencing was performed on mink farms and farm personnel. Here, we describe the outbreak and use sequence data with Bayesian phylodynamic methods to explore SARS-CoV-2 transmission in minks and humans on farms. High number of farm infections (68/126) in minks and farm workers (>50% of farms) were detected, with limited community spread. Three of five initial introductions of SARS-CoV-2 led to subsequent spread between mink farms until November 2020. Viruses belonging to the largest cluster acquired an amino acid substitution in the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein (position 486), evolved faster and spread longer and more widely. Movement of people and distance between farms were statistically significant predictors of virus dispersal between farms. Our study provides novel insights into SARS-CoV-2 transmission between mink farms and highlights the importance of combining genetic information with epidemiological information when investigating outbreaks at the animal-human interface.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27096-9

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