Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

New guidance for ferret owners amid fears more animals could catch coronavirus mutation

Warning follows cull of millions of mink 

Monday 23 November 2020 13:25 EST
Comments
Dr Fauci says mink strain of coronavirus Mink strain 'should not pose risk to Covid-19 vaccines'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The government’s scientific advisers are drawing up advice for ferret owners amid fears a mutated version of Covid-19 found in mink could leap to other animals.  

Denmark is culling millions of mink in a bid to limit the spread of the disease.  

But experts fear the coronavirus mutation could be found in other animals such as rats, mice and ferrets as well as mink.  

Newly published documents show the Sage scientific advisory group are concerned the virus could be identified in ferrets in the UK.  

The documents warn: "The mutations observed in virus isolates from mink have also been observed in virus from ferrets. ...Defra is assessing the risk to people in the UK and developing messaging for ferret owners.”  

The experts also called for greater surveillance of animal populations and more research into how the mutations could affect humans.  

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in