Denmark added to the UK’s quarantine list after outbreak of mutated coronavirus strand
Denmark has been added back onto the UK’s quarantine list following an outbreak of a mutated Coronavirus strand in the north of Jutland. The mutated virus spread through Mink Farms.
They have now developed a resistance to the vaccine, and this is able to be contracted by humans. As a result, workers and residents have been told not to leave the area, to not risk the potential spreading of a vaccine-resistant Coronavirus strand.
So far, twelve people have been confirmed to have contracted this strand, however, the Danish Prime Minister says “The mutated virus in mink may pose a risk to the effectiveness of a future vaccine”. The panic comes from the risk to the undermining of the effectiveness of the vaccines that authorities have been working on for months.
However, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan, says “I don’t think we should come to any conclusions about whether this particular mutation is going to impact vaccine efficacy” and that there is not enough data to suggest this outbreak would cause significant damage to the race to find a Coronavirus vaccine just yet.
The situation raises many claims surrounding animal welfare and Denmark’s fur trade. On Wednesday 4th November, the Danish government announced a cull of all mink in the country, using militaristic strategies to ensure the culling is as efficient as possible.
Animal Welfare groups have felt that this is a huge step in a sustainable direction, commending the Prime Minister for her foresight.
“What we really need to do is end mink farming entirely and retrain the farmers”
Birgitte Damm, policy adviser and vet with NGO Animal Protection Denmark.
Editor: Elen Johnston
