• Bas B Oude Munnink, Reina S Sikkema, David F Nieuwenhuijse, Robert Jan Molenaar, Emmanuelle Munger, Richard Molenkamp, Arco van der Spek, Paulien Tolsma, Ariene Rietveld, Miranda Brouwer, Noortje Bouwmeester-Vincken, Frank Harders, Renate Hakze-van der Honing, Marjolein C A Wegdam-Blans, Ruth J Bouwstra, Corine GeurtsvanKessel, Annemiek A van der Eijk, Francisca C Velkers, SmitLidwien A MLAMhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0292-0946Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands., Arjan Stegeman, Wim H M van der Poel, and KoopmansMarion P GMPGhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5204-2312Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Rotterdam, Netherlands..
• Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Rotterdam, Netherlands. b.oudemunnink@erasmusmc.nl.
• Science. 2021 Jan 8; 371 (6525): 172-177.

AbstractAnimal experiments have shown that nonhuman primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits, and bats can be infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink, and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation using whole-genome sequencing of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and the humans living or working on these farms. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced by humans and has since evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period, several weeks before detection. Despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance, and immediate culling of animals in affected farms, transmission occurred between mink farms in three large transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. Of the tested mink farm residents, employees, and/or individuals with whom they had been in contact, 68% had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals for which whole genomes were available were shown to have been infected with strains with an animal sequence signature, providing evidence of animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within mink farms.Copyright © 2021, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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