Jumping back and forth: anthropozoonotic and zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms

AbstractThe zoonotic origin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still unknown. Animal experiments have shown that non-human primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and bats can be infected by 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 of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and humans living or working on these farms, using whole genome sequencing. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced from humans and has evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period several weeks prior to detection. At the moment, despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance and immediate culling of infected farms, there is ongoing transmission between mink farms with three big transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. We also describe the first animal to human transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms.One sentence summarySARS-CoV-2 transmission on mink farms.

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Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms between humans and mink and back to humans

Science ◽

10.1126/science.abe5901 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 371 (6525) ◽

pp. 172-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Bas B. Oude Munnink ◽

Reina S. Sikkema ◽

David F. Nieuwenhuijse ◽

Robert Jan Molenaar ◽

Emmanuelle Munger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Nonhuman Primates ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Infection Period ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Whole Genomes ◽

Sequence Signature ◽

In The Beginning ◽

Farm Residents

Animal 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.

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Salmonella identified in pigs in Kenya and Malawi reveals the potential for zoonotic transmission in emerging pork markets

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008796 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. e0008796 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Catherine N. Wilson ◽

Caisey V. Pulford ◽

James Akoko ◽

Blanca Perez Sepulveda ◽

Alexander V. Predeus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymph Node ◽

Whole Genome Sequencing ◽

Bloodstream Infection ◽

Genome Sequencing ◽

Mesenteric Lymph Node ◽

Zoonotic Transmission ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Foodborne Disease ◽

Mesenteric Lymph ◽

The Uk

Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne disease globally. Pigs can carry and shed non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) asymptomatically, representing a significant reservoir for these pathogens. To investigate Salmonella carriage by African domestic pigs, faecal and mesenteric lymph node samples were taken at slaughter in Nairobi, Busia (Kenya) and Chikwawa (Malawi) between October 2016 and May 2017. Selective culture, antisera testing and whole genome sequencing were performed on samples from 647 pigs; the prevalence of NTS carriage was 12.7% in Busia, 9.1% in Nairobi and 24.6% in Chikwawa. Two isolates of S. Typhimurium ST313 were isolated, but were more closely related to ST313 isolates associated with gastroenteritis in the UK than bloodstream infection in Africa. The discovery of porcine NTS carriage in Kenya and Malawi reveals potential for zoonotic transmission of diarrhoeal strains to humans in these countries, but not for transmission of clades specifically associated with invasive NTS disease in Africa.

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