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A recent study has detected 125 viruses in animals from fur farms in China, raising alarm over their potential to infect humans.
A recent study has detected 125 viruses in animals from fur farms in China, raising alarm over their potential to infect humans. Led by Chinese researchers and virologist Edward Holmes, the research, published in Nature, identifies 36 new viruses and 39 as high-risk for crossing species barriers.
Conducted from 2021 to 2024, it focused on 461 deceased animals, including minks, foxes, raccoon dogs, and rabbits, with some from wild sources. The study found known pathogens like hepatitis E and Japanese encephalitis, as well as 13 new viruses, highlighting fur farms as potential virus transmission hubs.
Holmes, who advocates for heightened surveillance, is concerned about the role of fur farms in virus spread. He argues that the global fur farming industry should be shut down, citing the detection of a bat-related virus in farmed minks as a particular concern.
The study underscores fur farms as conduits for animal-to-human virus transmission, with species like raccoon dogs and minks carrying high-risk viruses.
The research also points to the wildlife trade as a significant factor in virus transmission, with many scientists linking it to the Covid-19 pandemic. The study calls for increased surveillance and stricter regulations in the fur farming industry to prevent future outbreaks and manage zoonotic risks effectively.
