Italy slaps temporary ban on mink farming amid rising fear of mutated COVID-19 strains

Amid rising fears that coronavirus mutations in minks may affect vaccine efficacy in Italy, country's ministration has banned mink farming till next year March. Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed a declaration on Monday, vember 23 banning mink farming.

"If re is suspected infection, relevant local authorities are to seize farm, block movement of animals... and start an epidemiological investigation," Health Ministry said in a press release.

Italy has a small population of farmed mink compared to or EU countries, health authority said. However, government has decided to opt policy of maximum precaution amid rising fear. Millions of farmed mink have been culled across Europe after Denmark confirmed that over 200 people h been infected with mink-related coronavirus strains.  cases also included 12 people who developed a lower sensitivity to COVID-19 neutralising antibodies. 

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10.2 million minks culled in Denmark

Earlier, 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. Denmark 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. Denmark h imposed restrictions on vember 5 and y were originally been due to stay in place till December 3.

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. 

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(With ANI inputs; Im-AP)