Denmark lockdown over mutated mink virus fear

More than a quarter million Danes went into lockdown Friday in a northern region of the country where a mutated variation of the coronavirus has infected minks being farmed for their fur, leading to an order to kill millions of the animals.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the move was meant to contain the virus, and it came two days after the government ordered the cull of all 15 million minks bred at Denmark's 1,139 mink farms.

The coronavirus evolves constantly and, to date, there is no evidence that any of the mutations pose an increased danger to people.

But Danish authorities were not taking any chances.

Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod on Friday called it "a unique mutation" and said it was "a very concerning development."

He added that Denmark had informed the World Health Organization and other international health bodies.

In seven northern Danish municipalities with some 280,000 residents sport and cultural activities have been suspended, public transportation has been stopped and regional borders have been closed.

Only people with so-called "critical functions" such as police and health officials and different authorities are being permitted to cross municipal boundaries.

People in the region have been urged to to be tested.

As of Saturday, restaurants must close and school students from fifth grade and up will switch to remote learning Monday.

Last month, Denmark started culling millions of minks in the north of the country after COVID-19 infections were reported among the stock there.

Nationwide, at least 216 out of the 1,139 fur farms in Denmark have now been infected.

The Danish government said a mutation of the virus had been found in 12 people infected by minks, which farmers have been ordered to cull en masse, but experts said the significance of any variant strain and its effect on humans was unclear because it was yet to be studied.

Denmark, the world's largest mink fur exporter, produces an estimated 17 million furs per year.

Kopenhagen Fur, a cooperative of 1,500 Danish breeders, accounts for 40% of the global mink production.

Most of its exports go to China and Hong Kong.

The pelts of the mink will be destroyed and Danish fur farmers have said the cull, which is estimated to cost up to 5 billion kroner (785 million US dollars), may spell the end of the industry in the country.

Overall, Denmark has reported 53,180 cases of coronavirus and 738 deaths.