The Mink Shall Inherit the Earth: Animals Given Russian Covid Vax Pass Immunity on to Offspring

The fate of millions of European mink became a matter of global attention last year after Denmark gassed its entire population of 15-17 million of the furry animal over coronavirus fears. The story gained further attention after authorities had to exhume the animals’ carcasses and incinerate them due to concerns about environmental pollution.

Mink vaccinated using Russia’s special Carnivak-Cov coronavirus vaccine for animals have passed immunity on to their cubs, Rosselkhoznadzor – the country’s federal veterinary service has announced.

The agency made the announcement after the holding of a roundtable discussing Covid’s potential risk to the animal population and possible preventative measures at an agricultural industry trade fair in Moscow on Thursday.

Galkina said “colossal immunity” was reached among the cubs of the mink involved, with their mothers vaccinated in January.

Russia’s Federal Centre for Animal Health is reportedly continuing its studies of antibodies levels in the offspring of the vaccinated animals.

Russia registered Carnivak-Cov in late March, and to date the preparation remains the only drug in the world on the market designed specifically to immunise animals against the coronavirus. The vaccine has an estimated immunity period of six months, and was created by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, under Rosselkhoznadzor’s supervision.

Rosselkhoznadzor previously reported that its vaccine had been tested on dogs, cats, arctic foxes, mink, foxes, and other animals starting in October of last year, with clinical trials showing high levels of immunity and causing no harm to animals. The watchdog further indicated that along with companies in Russia, firms in the United States, Canada, Australia, Greece, Poland, and Singapore had expressed interest in the medication.

The World Health Organisation confirmed the possibility of COVID-19 being transmitted from humans to cats, dogs, minks, raccoon dogs, lions, tigers, and other animal species in April of this year.

The United States and Finland are developing their own Covid preparations for animals.

Sourse: sputniknews.com