Catalan police and Guardia Civil have again searched the CReSA animal health lab. Investigators demanded more virus samples after a swine fever outbreak in Collserola. A CSIC lab in Madrid was also inspected.
Authorities in Catalonia have escalated their investigation into the origins of the swine fever outbreak detected in wild boars last December in Collserola. On Thursday, Mossos d’Esquadra and the Guardia Civil carried out a new search at the Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), the animal health research facility owned by the Generalitat de Cataluña. This marks the second police operation at the CReSA premises in just over six months, reflecting ongoing concerns about a possible laboratory link to the outbreak.
During the latest search, police requested additional samples of the viruses handled at CReSA, according to law enforcement sources. The renewed demand for biological material comes as investigators continue to examine whether the laboratory could be connected to the appearance of swine fever among local wildlife. The outbreak, first identified on December 27, 2025, in wild boars in the Collserola park area, prompted immediate scrutiny of facilities working with animal pathogens in the region.
In a parallel move, officers also entered a laboratory belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid. While details of the Madrid operation remain limited, the action signals that the investigation is not confined to Catalonia and may involve broader oversight of research centers handling animal viruses.
Representatives from CReSA confirmed that police visited their installations and requested further documentation and information. However, the laboratory stated it was not informed about the specific details or objectives of the police inquiry. The judicial investigation remains active, with authorities seeking to clarify the chain of events that led to the outbreak and to determine whether any procedural lapses or breaches in biosecurity protocols occurred.
Swine fever, also known as African swine fever, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars, but it does not pose a direct risk to humans. Outbreaks can have severe economic consequences for the livestock sector, leading to culling and trade restrictions. Spain, as one of Europe’s leading pork producers, maintains strict controls in research facilities to prevent accidental releases of animal pathogens. The CReSA, located near Barcelona, is a key center for animal health research and collaborates with national and international agencies on disease monitoring and prevention. The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of rigorous biosecurity in research environments and the vigilance of Spanish authorities in responding to potential threats to animal health and the agricultural economy.
