SALT LAKE CITY – Officials on Monday confirmed the first U.S. cases of mink infected with the coronavirus following outbreaks in Europe.Five infected mink have been identified at two large farms in Utah, the Department of Agriculture announced.
Testing began after the farms reported unusually high mortality rates among the small animals raised for their fur prized in coats and other clothing.The Utah mink farms have also reported cases among workers.
Infected humans can spread the virus to animals during close contact, but there is no current evidence that animals spread the disease to humans, authorities said.