FINNISH FARMERS RELIEVED AS MINK FARMS ARE FREE OF COVID-19 VIRUS

Following the discovery of a COVID-19 outbreak at Danish mink farms, the Finnish Food Authority conducted tests in the country’s mink farms and found them to be free of the deadly COVID-19 virus, the Finnish news agency Yle reported.

The food authority tested mink at fur farms in 10 areas in Western Finland and all 30 test samples were negative. There are over 200 mink farms in the country. The virus has been found to mutate quickly at fur farms, which could potentially hamper the effectiveness of a future coronavirus vaccine.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the spring, Finnish fur farms have implemented extensive hygiene and safety measures, which, according to the Finnish Food Authority, has kept the virus away from the farms.

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The farms are also currently closed from visitors and masks are used when caring for the animals. These precautionary measures will continue until the pandemic is under control. Veterinarian Johanna Korpela from the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association said the instructions have been well-received and strictly followed at fur farms. "The union is aware of, and prepared for, the risk caused by foreign seasonal workers, for example," said Korpela. "Seasonal workers are subject to a two-week quarantine before they can start work."