Genetic Analysis Rules Out Lab Leak in Barcelona Virus Outbreak

Genetic analysis of the African swine fever virus outbreak in Barcelona indicates the pathogen did not originate from the Generalitat de Cataluña laboratory. The report, presented by the scientific team and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, reveals that the virus found in wild boars exhibits a high number of mutations relative to laboratory strains.

Scientists led by Toni Gabaldón determined that the viral strains appear separated by years of evolution rather than days. This timeline contradicts the hypothesis of a recent leak from the facility. The pathogens used in experiments at the scientific center do not match those that killed 29 wild boars. While the findings are preliminary, the evidence strongly points to an external source for the outbreak.

DNA analysis of the African swine fever outbreak in Barcelona suggests the pathogen did not escape from the Generalitat de Cataluña laboratory. The first conclusions of the report were presented this Tuesday by the scientific team and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. The findings were shared during a meeting with media outlets.

The genetic analyses commissioned by the Govern show that the virus found in the wild boars presents a high number of mutations compared to the pathogens stored in the laboratory. According to the scientists who performed the comparative analysis, this characteristic does not fit the leak hypothesis. The viral strains belong to the same virus but appear to be separated by years of evolution, not just days.

The comparative study was led by Toni Gabaldón, from the Barcelona Institute for Biomedical Research. This center was founded by the Generalitat and the University of Barcelona. The research team's initial assessment indicates a significant genetic divergence between the outbreak strain and the laboratory samples.

The specific pathogens used in experiments at the Catalan scientific center do not coincide with the ones that have killed 29 wild boars. The report describes the comparison as initial and not yet conclusive, but the genetic data currently available supports the theory that the virus entered the environment from an outside source rather than from the nearby facility.

The conclusion that the virus is not a laboratory strain shifts the focus of the investigation toward identifying the true origin of the infection. The presence of a virus with years of evolution suggests a different lineage than the one maintained in the research facility. This distinction is critical for understanding how the pathogen entered the local wild boar population.

Authorities and scientists continue to analyze the data to ensure the safety of the region's livestock. The Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries remains engaged in monitoring the situation. The genetic evidence serves as a primary tool in ruling out the most alarming potential cause of the outbreak.