African Swine Fever Outbreak May Be Linked to Lab Leak

Around 90 municipalities in northeastern Spain, particularly in Catalonia, have been quarantined due to an outbreak of African swine fever, which has been confirmed in 13 dead wild boars. The outbreak is suspected to have originated from a laboratory leak at the Animal Health Research Center in Bellaterra, just before the first cases were reported. In response, the Catalan government has declared an emergency, restricting movement within a 6km contamination zone and a wider 20km infected area. More than 40 countries have banned Spanish pork imports as authorities consider culling over 30,000 wild boars to control the spread.

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