Dutch authorities ordered 10,000 mink to be culled in case they became a 'reservoir' of COVID-19 but animal rights activists have postponed their deaths

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Authorities in the Netherlands ordered the culling of 10,000 mink after studies suggest that they could be harboring COVID-19, and may later pass it to humans.

The order came after scientists traced infections from humans to mink bred in the Netherlands for their fur and then back to humans.

The order was due to be carried out on Friday, but a last-minute legal challenge from animal rights activists has put the cull on hold.

COVID-19 is widely believed to have originated in animals before becoming a human pandemic, but the process is poorly understood. The mink transmission is some of the best evidence yet.

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Authorities in the Netherlands ordered the mass slaughter of 10,000 mink for fear that the animals could harbor the coronavirus, and spark a new wave of human infections.

The order was made after scientists there confirmed that the animals a source of high-end fur products could infect humans with COVID-19.See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: How the Navy's largest hospital ship can help with the coronavirusSee Also:2 billion doses of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine will be available after a new deal that included 750m from Bill Gates, AstraZeneca saysI spent 2 weeks wearing a face shield instead of a mask, and I'm never going backThe architect of Sweden's no-lockdown plan suggested the strategy was a mistake based on what we now know about the coronavirus

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