Pandemic Fears as Dozens of High-Risk Viruses Found in China’s Fur Farms

The recent discovery of a significant number of viruses in fur-farmed animals in China has raised alarm bells among scientists and public health experts. A comprehensive study, published in the journal Nature, identified 36 previously unknown viruses and 39 others with a high risk of cross-species transmission. The animals involved in the study included minks, rabbits, foxes, and raccoon dogs, all of which are commonly farmed for their fur. According to co-author John Pettersson of Uppsala University, the findings underscore the favorable conditions for virus evolution and transmission to new species, including humans. The research examined 461 animal samples collected from 2021 to 2024, with most samples originating from fur farms. Of the 125 viruses detected, 36 were new, and 39 were considered high-risk for cross-species transmission. Some of these viruses were types of bird flu and coronaviruses, though none were closely related to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Pettersson highlighted paramyxoviruses, which are known to cause measles and mumps in humans, as particularly adept at jumping between species. Eleven of the high-risk viruses have already been observed in humans, including hepatitis E and Japanese encephalitis. Thirteen of the high-risk viruses were entirely new, posing a potential threat for future outbreaks. Raccoon dogs were found to carry the most high-risk viruses, with ten identified. The study supports previous concerns about the risks associated with fur farming, which has been linked to viral cross-species transmission. In response to similar concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, Denmark conducted a mass cull of its mink population in 2020 but later reauthorized mink farming. The research team recommends regular and transparent surveillance of fur farms, though implementation may be challenging due to cost and logistical issues.

Edward Holmes, a virologist from the University of Sydney and a co-author of the study, believes that the global fur farming industry should be shut down to prevent future pandemics. Holmes was also involved in publicizing the genome sequence of the COVID-19 causing coronavirus in early 2020, which accelerated vaccine development during the pandemic. He argues that fur farming presents a significant risk for viral spillover from animals to humans. The proximity between humans and animals in fur farming environments creates ideal conditions for viruses to jump species. The study’s findings highlight the importance of understanding viral infections in animals to prevent future pandemics. The researchers used a combination of genomic and virus isolation methods to identify the new viruses, focusing on 28 different species of fur animals.

The study revealed that the cross-species transmission of viruses poses a threat to both human and animal health. The research also provides insights into the possible origins of COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks. By identifying potential transmission pathways between different hosts, the findings can help inform public health measures to prevent zoonotic diseases. The study underscores the need for global collaboration in monitoring and controlling viral infections in animals. Further research is necessary to better understand and prevent the transmission of viruses from animals to humans. The study was conducted by scientists from multiple Chinese universities, with contributions from international researchers, including Edward Holmes and John Pettersson.

Among the viruses identified were several from the coronavirus and influenza families. The researchers found evidence of viruses being transmitted from wild animals to farmed animals and from humans to farmed animals. Raccoon dogs and minks had the highest number of potentially high-risk viruses. Multiple animal species were commonly infected with coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and sedoreoviruses. The study highlights the need for increased monitoring of fur-farmed animals to identify potential viral transmission routes. The researchers also emphasize the importance of identifying viruses that could potentially jump from animals to humans, wild animals, and livestock. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that zoonotic diseases can have on global health.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is actively working on identifying the source of the COVID-19 virus through genome sequencing. Recent studies have shown that wearables can be 88% accurate in diagnosing COVID-19, and a drug similar to a vaccine is being developed to protect against the indirect effects of pathogens. Despite overall decreases in viral activity, deaths continue to rise, highlighting the need for continued vigilance. The study calls for more research and monitoring to prevent viral transmission from animals to humans. Implementing safety measures, such as wearing masks, can help prevent the spread of viruses from person to person. The findings of this study can help inform public health measures and policies aimed at preventing future zoonotic diseases.

The study’s lead author, Jian Zhao, along with co-authors Edward Holmes and John Pettersson, emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in addressing the risks associated with fur farming. The research team believes that further study and surveillance of fur farms are essential to prevent future zoonotic spillover events. The study was published on March 11, 2024, and has garnered significant attention from the scientific community and public health officials. The findings highlight the need for regular and transparent surveillance of fur farms, despite the challenges associated with cost and logistics. The research underscores the potential for fur farming to serve as a transmission hub for viral zoonoses, posing a threat to both human and animal health.

One of the viruses that concerned Holmes was the pipistrellus bat hku5-like virus, which has previously been found in bats and was now discovered in farmed minks. This virus is a relative of the MERS coronavirus, which can be deadly to humans. Holmes believes that this discovery should serve as an alarm for increased monitoring and surveillance of fur farm animals. Thousands of unknown viruses are circulating among wild mammals, and fur farms could provide an opportunity for them to spread to humans. The leading theory for the origin of COVID-19 is that it emerged from bats and was transmitted to humans through the trade of wild animals. Holmes agrees with this theory and believes that the fur farming trade could also result in another pandemic.

The study calls for increased surveillance of fur farm animals, especially minks, raccoon dogs, and guinea pigs, which were found to have the most high-risk viruses. Denmark culled its entire farmed mink population in 2020 due to COVID concerns but has now resumed the practice. The research team believes that further study and surveillance of fur farms are needed to prevent future zoonotic spillover events. The study was published in the journal Nature and can be found under the title Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential. The content of this article is subject to copyright, and no part may be reproduced without written permission. While feedback and corrections are welcome, the high volume of messages means that individual replies cannot be guaranteed.

The research team used metatranscriptomic sequencing to analyze 461 dead fur animals, identifying 125 virus species, including 36 novel species and 39 at high risk of transmission to humans. Coronaviruses were found in seven species, expanding their known host range. A novel canine respiratory coronavirus was transmitted to raccoon dogs, and bat coronavirus to mink. Cases of influenza A virus were detected in guinea pigs, mink, and muskrat. Other known zoonotic viruses, such as Japanese encephalitis virus, were found in guinea pigs. Raccoon dogs and mink had the highest number of potentially high-risk viruses. The study notes potential virus transmission between farmed animals and wild animals, and from humans to farmed animals.

The researchers used R software for data analysis and created phylogenetic trees to show the evolutionary relationships between virus species. The study revealed expanded host ranges for 93 viruses and identified potential transmission pathways between different hosts. The findings underscore the importance of understanding viral infections in animals to prevent future pandemics. The researchers used a combination of genomic and virus isolation methods to identify the new viruses, focusing on 28 different species of fur animals. The study highlights the need for global collaboration in monitoring and controlling viral infections in animals. Further research is necessary to better understand and prevent the transmission of viruses from animals to humans.

The study’s authors argue that fur farming presents a significant risk for viral spillover from animals to humans. The proximity between humans and animals in fur farming environments creates ideal conditions for viruses to jump species. The findings highlight the importance of understanding viral infections in animals to prevent future pandemics. The researchers used a combination of genomic and virus isolation methods to identify the new viruses, focusing on 28 different species of fur animals. The study underscores the need for global collaboration in monitoring and controlling viral infections in animals. Further research is necessary to better understand and prevent the transmission of viruses from animals to humans.

The study’s findings provide insights into the possible origins of COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks. By identifying potential transmission pathways between different hosts, the findings can help inform public health measures to prevent zoonotic diseases. The study underscores the need for global collaboration in monitoring and controlling viral infections in animals. Further research is necessary to better understand and prevent the transmission of viruses from animals to humans. The study was conducted by scientists from multiple Chinese universities, with contributions from international researchers, including Edward Holmes and John Pettersson. The research team believes that further study and surveillance of fur farms are essential to prevent future zoonotic spillover events.