Farms Cull 375,000 Mink Over Virus Transmission Fears

In May, there were two cases of mink transmitting the disease to humans.

Mink farms in the Netherlands have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. According to Reuters, the animals were infected by human handlers in April.

In May, there were two cases of mink transmitting the disease to humans, the only animal-to-human cases on record since the outbreak began.

Outbreaks have been identified at 10 farms, where mink are raised for their fur.

According to the agency in charge of the cull, about 375,000 mink will be gassed.

Another four fur farms are investigating possible outbreaks, but it's a small percentage of the 140 farms in operation.

The country has plans to phase out mink farming by 2024, but the COVID-19 outbreak has organizations like PETA calling for an earlier end.

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