Testing of a number of wild mink trapped between Marysvale and Holyrood has confirmed the presence of Aleutian disease in the wild mink population. Eight of the 18 animals tested were positive for the disease.

The presence of Aleutian disease was confirmed on nine commercial mink sites in the province in August. Of 27 commercial mink farms in the province, nine tested positive for Aleutian disease while the 18 sites were negative. The wild mink tested were collected by local trappers in November to assist in identifying the scope and origin of the disease in the province. Samples will also be collected from other areas of the province.

"The test results confirm the existence of Aleutian disease in wild mink; however, more samples need to be taken and analyzed before any conclusions can be made," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "Our officials are reviewing the test results and exploring options with industry on how to best manage and control this disease in the province. Our government has an open relationship and dialogue with industry and we will continue to work with them to find an appropriate path forward."

The Provincial Government will undertake further testing of wild mink in an attempt to fully determine the extent of the spread of the disease. Department officials have been in contact with other jurisdictions where Aleutian disease has been an issue to identify best practices and learn what approaches may be applied to help address the situation in this province.

Minister Dunderdale is also encouraging commercial mink farmers to not take wild mink onto their farms and ensure the appropriate bio-security measures are in place to protect their investment.

"Now that Aleutian disease has been discovered in the wild mink population, commercial mink farmers should take immediate measures to protect their farms and make sure wild mink cannot gain access to their farms," said Minister Dunderdale. "At the same time, the testing of mink farms will continue as part of our ongoing disease monitoring efforts and to determine the source of the virus."

Aleutian disease was discovered in the province for the first time in mid-June on a large commercial mink farm. This viral disease is a concern to the mink industry as it causes economic consequences to the farm as a result of animals that die, animals that don�t perform well and lost sales for live breeding stock.

The Provincial Government is covering the costs associated with blood testing and associated testing protocols as part of Aleutian disease monitoring and control. The department is also attempting to identify the strains of the Aleutian disease virus present on commercial farms and in wild mink to determine where it originated.

For more information, please contact Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian, at 709-729-6879.