Finland Executes Mink Due to Influenza

The Finnish Food Authority announced today that it has ordered the culling of 50,000 foxes and minks on three farms where infections of the avian influenza virus were detected. These animals are raised on farms for their fur. The mink can harbor the virus, increasing the chances of its mutation and transmission to humans. Finland and Norway are facing a record outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza this year. The virus has resulted in the deaths of thousands of gulls and other bird species, threatened livestock, and restricted travel in some areas. The authority stated, "Minks are a species that causes significant issues when it comes to avian influenza infection," as these animals can be an effective intermediate host for the virus, enabling it to mutate into a strain that could infect humans. By the end of July, avian influenza infections had been discovered in 20 fur farms in Finland, and samples from four other farms are still being analyzed, according to the Finnish Food Authority. The authority mentioned that it is set to issue more culling orders this week.