No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wild Mink (Mustela lutreola and Neogale vison) from Northern Spain during the First Two Years of Pandemic

Abstract

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wildlife is largely unevaluated, and extended surveillance of animal species is needed to reach a consensus on the role of animals in the emergence and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. This infection has been detected in farmed and domestic animals and wild animals, mainly in captivity. The interactions or shared resources with wildlife could represent a potential transmission pathway for the SARS-CoV-2 spill over to other wild species and could lead to health consequences or the establishment of new reservoirs in susceptible hosts. This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in European mink (Mustela lutreola) and American mink (Neogale vison) in Spain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen in serum samples and/or by RT-qPCR assays in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. From January 2020 to February 2022, a total of 162 animals (127 European mink and 35 American mink) with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the study. Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 were not found in the serum samples analysed (n = 126), nor was the virus amplified by RT-qPCR (n = 160 swabs). Our results suggest that the potential role of wild mink and the European mink bred in captivity and released to the wild as dispersers of SARS-CoV-2 is so far low. However, wildlife surveillance for early detection of human and animal risks should be continued. In this sense, epidemiological monitoring measures, including serology and molecular analysis, are necessary.

Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in British wildlife 2020–21 and first description of a stoat (Mustela erminea) Minacovirus

“…The detection of another coronavirus in this study, however, indicates that the methods used and sample preservation were adequate for viral detection, at least at high prevalence, even in small populations of samples. Our study is also in line with other European wildlife studies indicating absence of widespread SARS-CoV-2 circulation in wild small carnivores and rodents, including wild American mink [38–42, 62, 63]. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in one Eurasian river otter in lung tissue and nasal swabs and detection of a Eurasian badger-specific coronavirus in lung tissue from similar post-mortem monitoring programmes indicates that lungs are an appropriate target tissue for coronavirus monitoring in those species [37, 42].…”

Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in British wildlife 2020-21 and first description of a stoat (Mustela erminea) Minacovirus

“…The detection of another coronavirus in this study, however, indicates that the methods used and sample preservation were adequate for viral detection, at least at high prevalence, even in small populations of samples. Our study is also in line with other European wildlife studies indicating absence of widespread SARS-CoV-2 circulation in wild small carnivores and rodents, including wild American mink (Davoust, Guérin et al 2022, Keller, Peter et al 2022, Sikkema, Begeman et al 2022, Villanueva-Saz, Giner et al 2022, Wernike, Drewes et al 2022, Carmona, Burgos et al 2023, Zamperin, Festa et al 2023). Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in one Eurasian river otter in lung tissue and nasal swabs and detection of a Eurasian badger specific coronavirus in lung tissue from similar post mortem monitoring programmes indicates that lungs are an appropriate target tissue for coronavirus monitoring in those species (Padilla-Blanco, Aguiló-Gisbert et al 2022, Zamperin, Festa et al 2023).…”

Serum protein electrophoresis in European mink ( Mustela lutreola ): reference intervals and comparison of agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis

“… 2022 ; Villanueva-Saz et al. 2022a , 2022b , 2023 ) were performed. All animals were classified as seronegative.…”