An Outbreak of Excessive Neonatal Mortality in Four Danish Mink Farms

Abstract

Data collected from an outbreak of excessive mortality of mink kits in 4 Danish mink farms in 1982 were analysed. The mortality of the mink kits was found to be highest for the kits from Aleutian Disease (AD)-positive females, and the Scanblack mink was found to be the most frequently affected mink type. Furthermore the mortality was found to depend on the farm of origin and to be highest for the lastest born kits. The age of the females and their location in sheds were found not to influence the mortality of the kits. However, the mortality for the Pastel mink decreased with increasing distance from the Scanblack mink. The possibility that the excess mortality of the kits might be due to an AD-virus infection is discussed.

Sammendrag

Data indsamlet fra et udbrud af excessiv hvalpedødelighed i 4 danske minkfarme blev analyseret. Hvalpedødeligheden fandtes størst iblandt hvalpene fra Aleutian Disease (AD)-positive mødre, og Scanblack minkene var den hårdest angrebne mink type. Derudover var hvalpedødeligheden afhsengig af oprindelsesfarm og størst for de sen est fødte hvalpe. Mødrenes aider og deres placering i haller influe-rede ikke på hvalpedødeligheden, dog såldes at hvalpedødeligheden for Pastel mink falder med stigende afstand fra Scanblack minkene. Muligheden for at den excessive hvalpedødelighed kan være forårsaget af en AD-virus infektion diskuteres.