Avian Flu Outbreak at Mink Farm Triggers Alarm - But Some Fashion Brands Still Won’t Ditch Animal Fur

WEAR

Feb 8

Experts warn of the grave threat that mink fur farms pose to public health, with fears that a deadly strain of bird flu could spread among humans.

The current lethal avian influenza wave caused by the H5N1 strain, has spread across the globe, resulting in the deaths and culling of millions of birds, including chickens, ducks, and wild birds. Although the risk to humans is said to be low according to the World Health Organization WHO), researchers are watching the spread cautiously and tracking infections in other animals.

Last October when mink at an intensive farm in Spain began to get sick, and exhibited bloody snouts, tremors, depression, drooling, and a loss of appetite, alarm bells started to ring for scientists. Confirmation of an avian flu outbreak at the farm then led to the culling of more than 50,000 mink.

Although the highly pathogenic strain of the virus has been found in other species including raccoons, foxes, and bears, the mink outbreak represents the most compelling evidence to date that mammals can directly transmit the disease to each other rather than through contact with an infected bird, according to a paper published in the science journal, Eurosurveillance last week.

The study also stated that there was an “uncommon mutation” detected that is known to increase the chance of transmission between mammals, including humans, putting bird flu in “uncharted territory”, Wendy Puryear, a virologist at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts told Nature.

The spread of H5N1 influenza to mammals must be monitored, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, and clarified that the risk to humans remains low. However, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in a virtual briefing that "we cannot assume that will remain the case and we must prepare for any change in the status quo."

"WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to make sure that, if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals would be available for global use," he added.

Experts have stressed the risk of spillovers and new pathogens emerging from places where lots of animals are confined in close proximity, such as intensive farming for food and fashion. The H5N1 strain of virus responsible for the current epidemic itself originated in intensive poultry farms in Asia.

"A virus which has evolved on a mink farm and subsequently infects farm workers exposed to infected animals is a highly plausible route for the emergence of a virus capable of human-to-human transmission to emerge," Michelle Wille, a researcher at the University of Sydney who focuses on the dynamics of wild bird viruses told CBC.

Mink Farming: Identified as a Serious Risk

Mink are considered a highly susceptible host species when it comes to circulating human and avian influenza viruses. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the virus has spread to over 480 mink farms in 12 different countries, leading to calls for the closure of all mink farms.

Two years ago, all Danish mink farms were shut down temporarily on government orders and the animals were gassed to death following the discovery that a mink variant of the coronavirus could be transmitted to humans. The incident received global attention over fears that the mink could transmit a new strain to humans and jeopardize the effectiveness of vaccines. In 2021, Italy and the Netherlands took action and closed all mink farms. Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed a ban on mink farming.

Due to these actions, it is estimated that 25 percent of global production and 30-35 percent of world trade in raw mink skins was eliminated, according to a study by the University of Copenhagen.

Falling Out of Fashion

Over the last few years, the tide has turned when it comes to fur in fashion, including mink. Once seen as a symbol of elegance and luxury, animal-based fur is now more associated with cruelty and environmental destruction, and falling out of favor in the general consumer consciousness.

This has led to an increasing number of fashion designers and retailers dropping animal-based fur in favor of innovative alternatives. In the last few years alone, Moncler, Dolce & Gabbana, Canada Goose, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Chanel, Prada and other high-profile brands have announced fur-free policies.

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However, brands such as Max Mara, Philipp Plein, Woolrich, Hermès, Yves Salomon, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and LVMH (the parent company for brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy) are still using fur in their collections, according to Humane Society International (HSI). Mink fur is generally used to decorate hoods, pom-poms, collars, scarves, purses, shoes, boots, and key chains.

Now, with the latest discovery of the H5N1 strain and triggered renewed calls for the complete closure of all mink farms, the world will be watching whether the brands will finally ditch animal-based fur for good.

Take action: Please join Species Unite in urging Max Mara to do the right thing and stop using animal fur here.

Learn more about next-gen materials with our recent podcast episode with Sydney Gladman and Ranjani Theregowda of Material Innovation Initiative (MII), the non-profit that’s advancing these materials here.

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