Spanish police raid research lab in Catalonia in African swine fever investigation

Spanish police raided a leading animal health research laboratory on Thursday as part of an investigation into whether a recent outbreak of African swine fever originated from research facilities.

Officers from the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, and the Guardia Civil entered the IRTA-CReSA laboratory in Cerdanyola del Vallès following a court-issued search warrant. The facility is being investigated for potential environmental crimes related to the outbreak discovered in late November.

The local court has placed the proceedings under seal. The Catalan police submitted an initial report to the court on December 9.

Virus Strain Matches Laboratory Samples

A critical finding has emerged from the Centre for Animal Health Research (CISA-INIA), a European Union reference laboratory near Madrid. According to its report, genetic analysis shows the detected virus closely resembles a strain that circulated in Georgia in 2007 — the same strain commonly used in experimental studies and vaccine development.

This discovery has intensified scrutiny of IRTA-CReSA, particularly since the first infected wild boars were found near its facilities. The laboratory is one of five animal research centres located within 20 kilometres of where the outbreak was first detected.

Outbreak Triggers Restrictions

The outbreak has resulted in 26 wild boar deaths and prompted authorities to impose restrictions across parts of Barcelona. While African swine fever poses no risk to human health, it can devastate commercial pig farms and carries severe economic implications for the livestock industry.

The regional Catalan government has commissioned an independent audit of IRTA-CReSA to determine whether the outbreak could have originated from any nearby research facilities.

A joint investigation team comprising Mossos d'Esquadra officers and Seprona, the Guardia Civil's environmental protection unit, continues working to establish how the virus may have escaped laboratory containment, if that scenario is confirmed.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities declining to comment further while proceedings remain sealed by the court.