Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Spain Audits Five Labs as Barcelona Swine Fever Probe Turns to Possible Lab Source

Genetic analysis tying the wild-boar cases to a reference strain used in research has shifted the inquiry toward possible laboratory exposure.

Overview

  • Authorities have confirmed 13 infected wild boars near Barcelona since November 28 with no infections detected in domestic herds inside the surveillance zone.
  • Catalonia ordered audits of five laboratories within 20 km of the outbreak site as officials say all hypotheses remain open.
  • A Madrid laboratory found the virus is very similar to the Georgia 2007 strain commonly used in research, pointing away from products linked to current EU outbreaks.
  • Spain has deployed military and emergency units to search for carcasses and reinforce containment, and dozens of additional animals tested negative in follow-up checks.
  • Roughly a third of Spain’s export markets have paused pork imports as a precaution, even though African swine fever does not infect humans.