African swine fever returns to Spain and immunological research advances

Spain is once again facing the presence of the African swine fever virus following the confirmation of several cases in wild boar in Catalonia, while the European VAX4ASF consortium, coordinated by the Girona-based company HIPRA and of which Zabala Innovation is a partner, steps up efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine capable of containing the disease and protecting the pig sector.

The discovery of several dead wild boar infected with ASF in the Collserola mountain range (Barcelona province) has placed Spain back on the list of countries where the disease, eradicated since 1994, has reappeared. Since 26 November, the authorities have confirmed at least nine affected animals, and around 50 wild boar carcasses have been collected in the outbreak area, which are still awaiting analysis, prompting concern across the livestock sector and triggering an urgent health response.

The first detections involved two wild boar found dead in Bellaterra, near the Autonomous University of Barcelona campus, whose samples were analysed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Algete. These cases represented the first positives on Spanish territory in more than three decades. In the days that followed, veterinary services located four more carcasses in the same area, bringing the total to six, and further cases confirmed on Tuesday have raised the number to nine.

Health alert and market reaction

In response to the health alert, regional and national authorities have introduced restrictions: a six-kilometre containment zone and a 20-kilometre surveillance zone have been established. Hunting has been prohibited in these areas, outdoor activities have been suspended and wildlife monitoring has been intensified.

Despite the rapid spread among wild fauna, no outbreaks have been detected to date in domestic pig farms. Inspections carried out on holdings within the restricted area have not revealed any signs compatible with the disease.

The reappearance of the virus has had immediate effects on the pork market. Exports have been affected by the blocking of health certificates to third countries, and some buyers have imposed full or partial bans on Spanish pork. In addition, the reference market price has fallen sharply, placing the sector under significant economic pressure.

The VAX4ASF project

In this context, the VAX4ASF project has emerged as the main medium-term scientific initiative to provide the sector with an effective tool. This international consortium, led by HIPRA and supported by the Horizon Europe programme, brings together 17 partners from different countries, including research centres, universities and companies from the veterinary and technological fields. Among its members is also Zabala Innovation, responsible for project dissemination and communication, and for providing support for management and exploitation of the results.

VAX4ASF aims to develop a next-generation vaccine against the ASF virus, capable of protecting both domestic pigs and wild boar. The approach focuses on live attenuated vaccines with limited replication, seeking to achieve effective and long-lasting protection while maintaining a safety profile compatible with European regulations.

After its first year of activity, the consortium has established a solid research foundation: it has identified new antigens and critical immunological markers and developed advanced molecular tools for the generation of vaccine prototypes. It has also laid the groundwork for future safety and efficacy trials. In parallel, diagnostic and control measures are being strengthened, along with strategies for early detection and virus monitoring.

HIPRA has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the pig sector in the face of the crisis. In a statement, the company explained that it is “ready to provide support, guidance and resources to help farmers strengthen biosecurity measures and address this situation” and stressed that ASF “continues to represent a significant health and economic challenge for the pig sector”. The company also reiterated that “ASF poses no risk to human health, as it is not a zoonotic disease [that is, it cannot jump between different species], nor does it represent any risk for the consumption of pork”.

The 2026 work plan foresees the start of animal trials using the current prototypes, with the aim of assessing their safety, efficacy and ability to generate immunity in pigs. If these trials are successful, the next step will be to adapt the vaccine to the livestock and animal-production standards in force in the European Union.