The total number of coronavirus infections on Dutch mink farms has risen to 41, with news that the virus has been found on another farm.

The Netherlands has 110 mink farms, most of which are located in the east of Noord-Brabant province and in northern Limburg. In total, they are home to 700,000 animals, national statistics office CBS said last week.

Well over 160,000 animals have been killed since the virus was first discovered in the domestic fur industry.

The government’s Outbreak Management Team is due to state ‘very soon’ whether the mink on all Dutch fur farms should be culled in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Mink are known to have passed the virus on to at least two farm workers.

The fur industry is due to be phased out by 2024 but in June, MPs voted in favour of a ban on further mink breeding and called for funding to help farmers close down their businesses ahead of schedule. The ministry is still looking into this option.