Denmark culls 10.2 million minks; says mutated coronavirus 'most likely eradicated'

Denmark's health ministry on Thursday, vember 19 said  mutated version of vel coronavirus stemming from Danish minks has 'most likely been ericated'. ministry said  new cases of 'Cluster 5' mink mutation were reported since September 15 hence  Danish infectious disease authority SSI concluded that new variant has most likely been ericated. government h ordered to cull country's 15 to 17 million minks in a bid to prevent spre of coronavirus variant.

Danish government furr said most of strict restrictions on seven municipalities in rth Jutland region which is home to 280,000 people, would be lifted on Friday. government h imposed restrictions on vember 5 and y were originally been due to stay in place till December 3.

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10.2 million minks culled in Denmark

Meanwhile, all minks in seven municipalities have been culled, totaling 10.2 million  ministry said in its statement. slaughter is still ongoing in or parts of country, it ded. Scandinavian country is world's biggest exporter with three times more minks than people. It sells pelts for around 670 million euros ($792 million) annually, and second-biggest producer after China. Two weeks ago, Denmark government h ordered to cull all farmed mink in country to control  outbreaks of COVID-19, a situation worsened by discovery of a mutated variant, which authorities said showed reduced sensitivity to antibodies.

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Danish Agriculture Minister quits over Mink culling

On Wednesday, Danish minister in charge of farming resigned as he took blame for government ordering culling of all farmed mink without having necessary legislation in place first. culling was ordered after a mutated version of coronavirus was found in some farms and h infected people. re is evidence that mutated version is more dangerous but government moved quickly out of safety, though it lacked legal basis to order killing of healthy animals too. “I have today informed prime minister that I want to resign from government,” said Mogens Jensen, 57-year-old agriculture minister. Meanwhile, opposition parties in Denmark are calling for Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to step down too, saying she was ultimately responsible for everything.

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(With ncy inputs) (Im-AP)