First-Ever Case Of COVID-19 Found In Wild Animal Confirmed In U.S.
COVID-19 IN WILD ANIMAL – Authorities from the United States have confirmed that first-ever known case of an animal in the wild contracting the new coronavirus.
Previously, we’ve had cases wherein house pets and even big cats inside zoos got infected with COVID-19. However, in their cases, the owner or the people caring for them were also infected with the virus.
However, this new discovery draws concern as over 15,000 farmed mink in the U.S. had already fell to the coronavirus since August. As such, global health officials began investigating the potential risks these wild animals may bring to humans.
Last month, Denmark pushed for a plan to cull its farmed mink population of over 17 million. According to authorities from Denmark, there were concerns about a mutated coronavirus strain from mink transferring to people.
According to an article from ABS-CBN, the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the case in a “free-ranging, wild mink” in Utah. Furthermore, this mink was part of wildlife surveillance near infected mink farms.
“To our knowledge, this is the 1st free-ranging, native wild animal confirmed with SARS-CoV-2“, the USDA said. Still, several tests and evidence is needed before authorities raise concerns about a potential mink-to-human transfer of the coronavirus.
Thanks for reading. We aim to provide our readers with the freshest and most in-demand content. Come back next time for the latest news here on Philnews.
LIKE THIS ARTICLE? READ ALSO: Pet Pug COVID-19 Positive, First Coronavirus Case In Dog In US
