Anthropozoonotic spillovers reveal sustained long-term cryptic circulation of SARS-CoV-2 within and between Lithuanian mink farms
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Several studies have documented reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including in farmed mink which are susceptible to human respiratory viruses and are known for serving as a reservoir capable of generating new virus variants in densely populated farms. Here, we present the genomic investigation launched in response to detection of human infections with mink-origin SARS-CoV-2 lineages, and show evidence of at least 14 high-confidence introductions of SARS-CoV-2 from humans into farmed mink in Lithuania where sustained transmission in farmed mink lasted up to a year. We estimated the most likely timeframes for these introductions encompassing at least six SARS-CoV-2 lineages, some of which were already extinct in humans, with Bayesian phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. This study highlights the public health risks posed by fur farms and underscores that passive genomic surveillance systems are ineffective without the active involvement and expertise of responsible institutions.
Source: Virus Evolution
DOI: 10.1093/ve/veag014
Authors: Martynas Smičius, Ingrida Olendraitė, Jonas Bačelis, Aistis Šimaitis, Miglė Gabrielaitė, Bas B Oude Munnink, Reina S Sikkema, Arūnas Stankevičius, Žygimantas Janeliūnas, Paulius Bušauskas, Egidijus Pumputis, Simona Pilevičienė, Petras Mačiulskis, Marius Masiulis, Vidmantas Paulauskas, Snieguolė Ščeponavičienė, Monika Katėnaitė, Rimvydas Norvilas, Ligita Raugienė, Rimvydas Jonikas, Inga Nasvytienė, Živilė Žemeckienė, Kamilė Tamušauskaitė, Milda Norkienė, Emilija Vasiliūnaitė, Danguolė Žiogienė, Albertas Timinskas, Marius Šukys, Mantas Šarauskas, Dovilė Juozapaitė, Daniel Naumovas, Arnoldas Pautienius, Astra Vitkauskienė, Rasa Ugenskienė, Alma Gedvilaitė, Darius Čereškevičius, Laimonas Griškevičius, Marion Koopmans, Alvydas Malakauskas, Gytis Dudas
Institutions: Vilnius University, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Rigshospitalet, Erasmus MC, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,304
Funder: Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba
OpenAlex ID: W7135228130