SALT LAKE CITY — Concerns Over Bird Flu Response in Utah
Following reports of a bird flu outbreak at a mink farm in Utah, animal welfare advocates have expressed that the state’s response has been “dangerously lax.”
The specifics surrounding the outbreak remain somewhat unclear. A representative from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food mentioned that, due to the “limited reach and ongoing nature of the outbreak,” they can’t disclose certain details that might infringe on the producer’s privacy.
Public records from the Department reveal that there were seven confirmed cases of avian influenza among captive mink in Salt Lake County, which were documented in August. That said, the department acknowledged that the data might not cover the entire situation.
Animal Wellness Action along with the Center for a Humane Economy criticized the lack of information shared with the public, such as the number of mink affected, whether the virus spread from one mink to another, its source, or any potential risk to workers.
Wayne Pacelle, who leads both advocacy groups, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This isn’t an obscure infection in an isolated wild animal.” He highlighted that it involved densely housed mink, which have previously been known to amplify respiratory viruses and enable their evolution. He insisted that Americans deserve clarity on the situation and what the government has discovered.
In a related context, around 12,000 mink died in Utah due to COVID-19 in 2020, as the state is one of the leading producers of mink in the country.
This bird flu situation marks the first recorded outbreak of its kind within the nation, according to the Animal Welfare Institute. Following a public records inquiry, the institute learned that the affected farm anticipated the loss of about 80% of its mink to the disease and that officials were uncertain about the best course of action to control the virus.
An official noted that without a standardized protocol to quarantine the farm, the choices were limited: “our only options at this point are to watch them die or get emergency vaccine approval.”
Leon Page, a public information officer for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of this avian influenza outbreak in mink, indicating that there’s no existing framework for handling it.
He added, “However, our staff strive to support producers and ensure we maximize safety and minimize damage wherever feasible.”
Yet, animal rights advocates remain unconvinced. Kate Dylewsky, from the Animal Welfare Institute, warned that “one unlucky mutation of this dangerous virus could trigger a human health crisis,” highlighting the risks posed by diseases spreading from mink farms. She criticized both state and federal officials for their inadequate preparation and oversight, which she believes exacerbate public health threats.
The Utah Department of Agriculture informed the Utah Department of Health and Human Services as they investigated the potential transmission risk to humans, which, according to Page, “has not yet proven to be a high risk.” The department opted for a “verbal hold” on the facility rather than instituting a formal quarantine while continuing their investigation.
In other countries facing similar situations, depopulation was the common response rather than quarantine, suggesting a lack of international guidance on alternatives to depopulation.
The department is considering various measures including depopulation, quarantine, and vaccination, although any vaccine approval would have to come from the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, not the state entities.
Page concluded with the observation that, given avian flu’s novelty in mink in the U.S., research is limited, and guidelines regarding dosage or effectiveness for mink specifically are scarce. If a vaccine were approved, it would be closely monitored by the state veterinarian to prevent its diversion to other livestock. Discussions within the USDA are ongoing regarding when vaccination might be permitted.
