Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kristian Key Milan Thamsborg; Mette Sif Hansen; Charlotte Scheutz; Kasper Klintø; Peter Kjeldsen; Lise Kirstine Kvisgaard; Henrik Elvang Jensen; Freja Broe Hjerpe; Louise Lohse; Thomas Bruun Rasmussen; Lasse Dam Rasmussen; Amalie Ehlers Bedsted; Graham J. Belsham; Jørgen J. Leisner; Anders Dalsgaard

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6

Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kristian Key Milan Thamsborg, Mette Sif Hansen, Charlotte Scheutz, Kasper Klintø, Peter Kjeldsen, Lise Kirstine Kvisgaard, Henrik Elvang Jensen, Freja Broe Hjerpe, Louise Lohse, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Lasse Dam Rasmussen, Amalie Ehlers Bedsted, Graham J. Belsham, Jørgen J. Leisner, Anders Dalsgaard^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

In 2020, Denmark buried approximately four million culled, farmed mink in mass graves treated with slaked lime due to widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections. After six months, environmental concerns prompted the exhumation of these cadavers. Our analysis encompassed visual inspections, soil pH measurements, and gas emission assessments of the grave environment. Additionally, we evaluated carcasses for decay status, cadaverine content, and the presence of various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus. Our findings revealed minimal microbial activity and limited carcass decomposition. Although viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus, along with DNA from Aleutian mink disease virus, were detected, the absence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture assays suggests slow natural degradation processes. This study provides critical insights for future considerations in managing mass burial scenarios during outbreaks of livestock-associated zoonotic pathogens.

Original language	English
Article number	19440
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	14
Issue number	1
Number of pages	18
ISSN	2045-2322
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6
Publication status	Published - 2024

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Thamsborg, K. K. M., Hansen, M. S., Scheutz, C., Klintø, K., Kjeldsen, P., Kvisgaard, L. K., Jensen, H. E., Hjerpe, F. B., Lohse, L., Rasmussen, T. B., Rasmussen, L. D., Bedsted, A. E., Belsham, G. J., Leisner, J. J., & Dalsgaard, A. (2024). Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 19440. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6

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title = "Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic",

abstract = "In 2020, Denmark buried approximately four million culled, farmed mink in mass graves treated with slaked lime due to widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections. After six months, environmental concerns prompted the exhumation of these cadavers. Our analysis encompassed visual inspections, soil pH measurements, and gas emission assessments of the grave environment. Additionally, we evaluated carcasses for decay status, cadaverine content, and the presence of various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus. Our findings revealed minimal microbial activity and limited carcass decomposition. Although viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus, along with DNA from Aleutian mink disease virus, were detected, the absence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture assays suggests slow natural degradation processes. This study provides critical insights for future considerations in managing mass burial scenarios during outbreaks of livestock-associated zoonotic pathogens.",

author = "Thamsborg, {Kristian Key Milan} and Hansen, {Mette Sif} and Charlotte Scheutz and Kasper Klint{\o} and Peter Kjeldsen and Kvisgaard, {Lise Kirstine} and Jensen, {Henrik Elvang} and Hjerpe, {Freja Broe} and Louise Lohse and Rasmussen, {Thomas Bruun} and Rasmussen, {Lasse Dam} and Bedsted, {Amalie Ehlers} and Belsham, {Graham J.} and Leisner, {J{\o}rgen J.} and Anders Dalsgaard",

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doi = "10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6",

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Thamsborg, KKM, Hansen, MS, Scheutz, C, Klintø, K, Kjeldsen, P, Kvisgaard, LK, Jensen, HE, Hjerpe, FB, Lohse, L, Rasmussen, TB, Rasmussen, LD, Bedsted, AE, Belsham, GJ, Leisner, JJ & Dalsgaard, A 2024, 'Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic', Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 19440. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6

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T1 - Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic

AU - Thamsborg, Kristian Key Milan

AU - Hansen, Mette Sif

AU - Scheutz, Charlotte

AU - Klintø, Kasper

AU - Kjeldsen, Peter

AU - Kvisgaard, Lise Kirstine

AU - Jensen, Henrik Elvang

AU - Hjerpe, Freja Broe

AU - Lohse, Louise

AU - Rasmussen, Thomas Bruun

AU - Rasmussen, Lasse Dam

AU - Bedsted, Amalie Ehlers

AU - Belsham, Graham J.

AU - Leisner, Jørgen J.

AU - Dalsgaard, Anders

PY - 2024

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AB - In 2020, Denmark buried approximately four million culled, farmed mink in mass graves treated with slaked lime due to widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections. After six months, environmental concerns prompted the exhumation of these cadavers. Our analysis encompassed visual inspections, soil pH measurements, and gas emission assessments of the grave environment. Additionally, we evaluated carcasses for decay status, cadaverine content, and the presence of various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus. Our findings revealed minimal microbial activity and limited carcass decomposition. Although viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 and mink coronavirus, along with DNA from Aleutian mink disease virus, were detected, the absence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture assays suggests slow natural degradation processes. This study provides critical insights for future considerations in managing mass burial scenarios during outbreaks of livestock-associated zoonotic pathogens.

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DO - 10.1038/s41598-024-69902-6

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SN - 2045-2322

VL - 14

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

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M1 - 19440

ER -

Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic

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