The High Biosafety Level Laboratory of CISA was created in 1993. This centre, located in Valdeolmos (Madrid), is part of the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), attached to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The facility is classified as Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3 according to the World Health Organisation and BSL-4 according to the World Organisation for Animal Health) and has 40 laboratories and common areas, as well as 19 animal facilities designed to house a variety of species, from fish to horses. It is used for animal experimentation and research into highly transmissible diseases with a significant impact on both animal health and public health (zoonoses).
Two of CISA's laboratories are authorised to carry out research and development work with high-risk exotic viruses that have the potential to affect humans (BSL-3+, the highest level in the country). The facilities occupy a total area of 10,824 m2.
CISA's mission is to study, prevent and control infectious and exotic diseases in Spanish livestock and wildlife while actively engaging in the technological development of diagnostic and control systems. For this purpose, it conducts and promotes animal health research at the highest scientific level and serves as a support laboratory for other leading Spanish laboratories attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.
