On Thursday morning, officers from the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Civil Guard arrived at the laboratory of the Center for Research in Animal Health (CReSA) in Barcelona. Their visit is connected to an investigation into the outbreak of African swine fever among wild boars in the Collserola Natural Park. The investigative actions are being carried out by order of the court in Cerdanyola del Vallès, which is handling a case of potential environmental violations.
Law enforcement officials emphasize that all procedures were conducted in strict accordance with safety protocols. The CReSA laboratory, governed by the Catalan government, came under scrutiny after the first dead animals showing signs of infection were found near its facilities. The virus detected in the boars matched the one previously used in experiments at the center.
Investigation progress
The court received case materials back in December of last year. At that time, the police submitted documents suggesting a possible environmental crime. This initiated a series of investigative procedures, including a search of the laboratory. All details of the investigation remain confidential for now.
The CReSA Center is part of the Institute of Agri-food Research and Technology (IRTA), located on the campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. It was here, just a few hundred meters from the laboratory, that the first two carcasses of infected wild boars were found. The match between the virus strain and the samples used for scientific purposes has raised suspicions of a potential pathogen leak.
Authorities’ response
The Catalan authorities have launched an internal review of all research centers that may be linked to the outbreak. This situation has caused concern among pork producers across the country, as the sector plays a major role in Spain’s economy through exports.
President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa addressed parliament, stating that there is currently no evidence that the outbreak started in the laboratory. Nevertheless, the opposition party Junts insists on conducting a parliamentary investigation, which should complement the ongoing audit and police actions. The Ministry of Agriculture has also joined the investigation.
Regional impact
This week, Catalan authorities reported 26 wild boar deaths from African swine fever. The Central Veterinary Laboratory in Algete (Madrid) confirmed 10 new cases. All were found near previously identified hotspots, in the municipality of Cerdanyola del Vallès.
At the same time, experts examined more than two hundred animal carcasses found in the wild, on roads, and on railway tracks within and around the infected area. All tests came back negative for the virus, allowing the outbreak to be contained.
