Mink farms and the threat of zoonotic disease

Kate Dylewsky

Chapter 69 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, 2025, pp 259-262 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Abstract Intensively confined mink pose a high risk to humans because the species’ upper respiratory tract is physiologically similar to ours, rendering them potentially potent ‘mixing vessels’ for mutating respiratory viruses, potentially prolonging the current pandemic and generating novel pandemic viruses. Mink are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, with outbreaks on more than 480 known mink fur farms across 12 countries. Mink-to-human transmission of a variant of the virus has been reported in at least six countries so far. Additionally, a deadly avian influenza virus [H5N1] has infected tens of thousands of mink on dozens of fur farms since 2022, raising fears of the virus mutating into a form that is more easily transmissible between humans. These public health concerns are accompanied by poor welfare for the animals on mink farms, as well as inhumane methods of slaughter. While many international governments have taken action to limit mink farming, few US state or federal laws regulate it. However, a federal bill titled ‘Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act’ would end mink farming and compensate farmers in the US as they transition out of the industry.

Keywords: Mink Farm; Fur farm; Zoonotic disease; COVID-19; Avian influenza; Pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923666
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