Grant: Engage Grants Program

Aleutian disease (AD), a viral infection of mink and related mustelids, is potentially the most significantinfectious disease of the commercial mink industry. In 2004-2005 a study was performed to determine if thisvirus existed in this industry in Newfoundland and all tested farms were negative. However, in 2007 testing ofadditional mink showed farms on the Island were now positive for the presence of the AD virus. The virus wasalso detected in wild mink. At least two different variants of the virus were found. This research will take anupdated look at the presence of this virus in farmed and wild mink as well as any possible other wild reservoirsand vectors of the disease. This will identify the source of the virus in farms as being farm-specific ortransmitted to farms from wild animals. Determining the source of the virus in the company farm will allowmitigative action to make their mink population safer and more commercial. The research will also comparedifferent diagnostic tests to determine the reliability of quick on-farm testing currently employed. The resultswill inform the industry partner about their diagnostic efficiency resulting from their current practices, identifythe source(s) of the virus in farmed animals, and lead to better testing and biosecurity practices. Overall, thisknowledge of where the disease came from, which will subsequently identify the appropriate means toeradicate the disease, will have a direct and positive impact on company operations and competitiveness.