Zoonotic spill-over of SARS-CoV-2: mink-adapted virus in humans

Objectives: This work aimed to analyse possible zoonotic spill-over of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We report the spill-over of mink-adapted SARS-CoV-2 from farmed mink to humans after adaptation that lasted at least 3 months. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and a bioinformatic approach were applied to analyse the data. Results: In an isolate obtained from an asymptomatic patient testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, we found four distinguishing mutations in the S gene that gave rise to the mink-adapted variant (G75V, M177T, Y453F, and C1247F) and others. Conclusions: Zoonotic spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 can occur from mink to human. (C) 2021 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the possible zoonotic spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 and reported the transmission of mink-adapted SARS-CoV-2 from farmed mink to humans for at least 3 months.