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Spain investigates lab leak in swine fever outbreak
Spain's authorities are probing whether a recent African swine fever outbreak in Catalonia stemmed from a laboratory incident, as genome analysis points to a research strain rather than wild transmission. The EU's leading pork producer detected the virus in 13 wild boars near Barcelona since late November, prompting a containment zone and military assistance to curb spread. This development challenges prior assumptions of contaminated food imports and underscores risks in biosecurity for professionals tracking international livestock trends.
Catalan officials, led by agriculture head Òscar Ordeig, launched a specific inquiry into the Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (Cresa), a state-funded facility adjacent to the Autonomous University of Barcelona within the six-kilometer restricted area. Genome sequencing by a Madrid lab revealed the strain's close similarity to one first identified in Georgia in 2007, commonly used in vaccine research and distinct from genotypes circulating elsewhere in Europe. The Agriculture Ministry emphasized that this profile "does not rule out" origins from a biological containment site, shifting focus from animal products in affected nations.
While harmless to humans, African swine fever proves lethal to pigs and wild boars, threatening Spain's vital pork industry and export markets. Regional and national probes, including by police, aim to pinpoint the source amid calls for transparency. Investors and policy analysts should monitor outcomes, as they could influence global trade protocols and lab safety standards.