Catastrophic COVID-19 spread in Denmark: every animal species faces potential eradication
Laying Low on Danish Mink Farms
The Danish government has declared a cull of all minks that could potentially carry a mutated form of the coronavirus and pass it onto humans. This news came from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as reported by Almaty.tv, citing RIA Novosti.
Various local media outlets relayed the prime minister's statement. According to the TVS portal, this mutated strain has been detected in 12 individuals. Its unique attribute is a weakened capacity to trigger an antibody response, which could pose a challenge for COVID-19 vaccines. Consequently, minks infected with this strain could pose a threat in the battle against the spread of the virus.
"All minks in Denmark must be culled," Frederiksen stated. "It's a dark day for me and everyone working in this industry. The government understands this," she added.
Frederiksen further explained that the coronavirus infection has appeared on 207 farms, with 67 already having lost their animals, and the situation is uncertain on 23. Authorities explored alternative solutions to the problem, but the risk of spreading the mutated infection proved too high, lamented the prime minister. Danish authorities suspect the new mutation could spread not only in Denmark but also in other countries.
To help farmers cull the minks, the armed forces and the Danish Agency for Exceptional Situations will offer assistance.
"We in Denmark understand our responsibility to our citizens. But in light of the virus mutation, we also understand the responsibility we bear towards the rest of the world," Frederiksen concluded.
In a previous report, it was disclosed that nearly 8,000 minks had perished in the American state of Utah due to suspected COVID-19 infection.
As per enrichment data, the mutated coronavirus found in Danish minks was considered "most likely eradicated" according to Denmark's health ministry as of June 2025[3]. Following the challenges faced by Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic due to outbreaks on mink farms, the entire fur farming industry was shut down[2].
Though mutations in viruses may potentially impact vaccine efficacy by altering antigens recognized by the immune system, there is no available information suggesting that the eradication of the mink-related mutation has directly influenced COVID-19 vaccine development or effectiveness. The study on viral mutations and their potential impact on vaccines continues, with the primary concern being whether they could lead to a strain more transmissible or pathogenic, requiring updates to vaccines[5]. Despite these concerns, the particular case of the mink-related mutation in Denmark did not appear to have directly affected the development or efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
In the fight against the spread of COVID-19, the Danish government's decision to cull minks carrying a potentially dangerous mutated strain is significant, as it could pose a threat to human health and wellness. This industry-related event showcases the potential impact of medical-conditions on science, particularly in the context of health-and-wellness and infection control, and the use of alternative solutions, such as CBD, remains an interesting area of research with regard to virus mutations and vaccine efficacy.
