Mink in Utah is first wild animal to test positive for COVID-19

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COVID-19 is running wild in America.

A mink in Utah has tested positive for the contagion — the first-ever known case in a wild animal, according to officials.

While the small mammals are known to get infected — with Denmark infamously announcing plans to slaughter 17 million of them — they have until now only been found in farms.

“To our knowledge, this is the 1st free-ranging, native wild animal confirmed with SARS-CoV-2,” the US Department of Agriculture said Monday as it announced the alarming discovery.

Several animals from different wildlife species were sampled and all tested negative, the USDA added.

The agency said it notified the World Organisation for Animal Health but maintained there is no evidence the virus has been widespread in wild populations around infected mink farms.

Last month, an Oregon mink farm was put in quarantine after an outbreak was found — infecting staff along with the animals.

COVID-19 has been found on mink farms in Michigan and Wisconsin, along with numerous other nations, including the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Spain.

The virus has also been found in zoo tigers and household cats and dogs. 

With Post wires

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