Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) released a report on the current ASF outbreak in Catalonia confirming that the virus is not linked to a laboratory escape. The document was prepared by nine experts in pig production and wildlife, who also issued recommendations on how to tackle the outbreak.
One of the key questions concerned the origin of the virus detected near Barcelona in late November 2025. Throughout December, Spanish media widely discussed the possibility of a laboratory leak from the CReSA-IRTA research institute, located in the affected area and known for ASF research.
However, the final results from Spain’s Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV) disproved this hypothesis. According to the experts’ conclusions, there is no genetic match between the virus circulating in the field and the strains used in experimental work at CReSA-IRTA — neither at the level of specific markers nor across the whole genome.
The study analysed 81 samples from CReSA-IRTA, including historical strains (Georgia 2007 and Armenia 2007) and clinical samples from experimental infections. None contained the genetic markers associated with the virus responsible for the Catalonia outbreak. The field virus has been classified as belonging to a new genetic group, provisionally named “group 29.”
Experts also examined other possible routes of introduction. Introduction from other European outbreak areas is considered unlikely due to the lack of genetic similarity. The theory of deliberate introduction was also deemed unconvincing. The most plausible scenario remains accidental introduction through human activity, particularly via contaminated meat products.
Interestingly, surveillance detected wild boar with antibodies to the virus, suggesting that some animals survived infection. Together with the slow and spatially limited spread, this points to the possible circulation of a moderately virulent strain. However, this hypothesis still requires experimental confirmation.
Meanwhile, the number of infected wild boar carcasses found north of Barcelona has risen to 142. Although the affected area remains relatively localised, new findings show a slight northward expansion. The most recent cases, dated February 1, were recorded about 1 km from Sabadell airfield, where 17 additional carcasses were found.
Overall, the area where infected wild boar have been detected covers roughly 7 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west. Veterinary services continue active surveillance and carcass searches to contain further spread of the virus.
PigUA.info based on pigprogress.net