BARCELONA, SPAIN – Scientists have ruled out a laboratory leak as the source of a recent African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in wild boars near Barcelona, Spain. Viral sequencing by the Institute of Research in Biomedicine and the University of Barcelona doesn’t match samples from the IRTA-CReSA Animal Health Research Center.
Cristina Massot, of the Department of Agriculture, and Toni Gabaldón, the IRB professor leading sequencing, confirmed the findings. Confirmation from the Central Veterinary laboratory in Algete-Madrid is pending.
Óscar Ordeig, the agriculture minister, urged “prudence,” stating the reference laboratory will provide a definitive conclusion.
Massot said researchers sequenced 17 of 19 samples, excluding two frozen samples from five years ago.
New Virus Variant Identified
Researchers discovered a previously unregistered strain of the African swine fever virus, exhibiting mutations that suggest it is less deadly.
The IRB found a new variant-designated number 29-not found in a European database of 800 strains. The virus displays mutations and genome loss, making it less virulent to pigs and wild boars.
This complicates tracing the origin,as the variant’s correlation to known strains “cannot be established.” pinpointing the source is now “more arduous.”
Ordeig reiterated caution while awaiting Algete’s findings and thanked staff, prioritizing containment within a 6-kilometer radius.
Did you know? African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, but it poses no risk to human health.
- Outbreak Source – Sequencing data rules out a laboratory leak as the source of the recent African swine fever outbreak.
- New Variant – Researchers identified a new, previously unregistered variant of the virus.
- Virulence – The new variant appears to be less virulent, meaning it’s less deadly to affected animals.
- Containment – Authorities are focused on containing the outbreak within a 6-kilometer radius.
The new variant presents a challenge to understanding the outbreak and implementing control measures. The investigation aims to determine the origin and spread of this less virulent strain.
