Several people have been infected with a mink-related strain of coronavirus in Denmark, according to the World Health Organization.
The Scandinavian country had already announced it would cull all of its estimated 17 million mink over fears the mutated virus would spread to humans.
Coronavirus cases have been detected in other farmed mink in the Netherlands and Spain since the pandemic began in Europe.
But cases are spreading fast in Denmark. Around 207 mink farms in Jutland are affected and at least five cases of the new virus strain were found.
Danish health Minister Magnus Heunicke said about half of the 783 human cases reported in north Denmark related to a strain of the virus that originated in the mink farms.
The World Health Organization today: “Demark has announced that several people have been infected with a mink-related strain of the Covid-19 virus.
“WHO is working with the Danish authorities on research and control efforts.
“It is normal for viruses to mutate or change over time.
“But each time a virus goes from humans to animals and back to humans, it can change more. That’s why these reports are concerning.
“Major variations to the virus might impact on vaccines, therapeutics and treatments. “Since the start of the pandemic, WHO has worked with researchers, evolutionary virologists, sequencing teams, and synthetic biologists to track genetic changes in the Covid-19 virus.
“To prevent further changes to the virus emerging among minks and the spread of mink-related viruses, the Danish authorities have announced that culling of all farmed mink in Denmark will commence immediately.”
The Scandinavian country is the world's biggest producer of mink fur and its main export markets are China and Hong Kong.
Bars, restaurants, public transport and all public indoor sports will be closed in seven North Jutland municipalities as around 250,000 people went into lockdown.
Britain has removed Demark from its list of non-quarantine travel corridors for two weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic Denmark has reported 52,265 human cases of Covid-19 and 733 deaths, data from Johns Hopkins University shows.
