MADISON (WGBA) -- The State Department of Agriculture are watching two farms in Taylor county closely, as thousands on mink test positive for the virus known to cause COVID-19.
"It is very concerning," said Kevin Hoffman, with the DOA. "With a disease as transmittable as this we need to take all precautions."
Hoffman says two farms in Taylor County have reported an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in thousands of mink. Those farms are currently in isolation - no imports or exports from them right now.
What alarms the DOA is recent reports in Denmark. Officials overseas say mink over there are experience a mutation of the coronavirus and some humans have contracted it. However, the mutation poses little threat than what is already happening with COVID-19.
"Right now we do not know if humans can contract it from the mink," Hoffman said. "We are working with the CDC on that, but we do know humans can give it to the animals."
He says they are working with the local health department to make sure the farms are implementing safe restrictions about keeping the animals and the people who work with them safe.
"We have been in touch with the farms. We are making sure workers use proper PPE. We are also working on ways to isolate workers on the farm."