ASF Spain: Containment plan and suspected new cases

Following official confirmation on November 28 of the first two cases of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain in two wild boars found dead in the province of Barcelona, ​​the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food of the Government of Catalonia immediately activated exceptional control, prevention, and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

On the morning of November 29, the Minister of Agriculture of the Catalan Government confirmed in an interview the detection of four new suspected cases in wild boars found dead in the same area, pending confirmation by the reference laboratory. According to the Catalan Minister, this rapid discovery confirms that the containment measures are working. The official confirmation of these cases would not affect the containment plan established.

The Catalan Department of Agriculture reported on November 30 that all 39 pig farms located within the surveillance zone established around the outbreak of ASF have tested negative.

Containment plan

Closure of the 6-km radius and prohibition of activities in the natural environment

In the area closest to the detection point (radius of 6 km), which includes 12 municipalities (Sabadell, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Polinyà, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Montcada i Reixac, Ripollet, Barberà del Vallès, Badia del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Terrassa, and Rubí), the following has been ordered:

• Complete closure of access to the natural environment.
• Suspension of all hunting and forestry work.
• Prohibition of all activities in rural areas for biosecurity reasons.
• Installation of physical and chemical barriers, as well as traps for wild boar control.
• Activation of joint operations with Rural Agents, Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan Police), SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service), and Department technicians.

To reinforce the operation and ensure the containment of the outbreak, the Catalan Government has requested the support of the Game Control Unit of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which will join the teams already deployed in the area.

Restrictions within a 20 km radius

In a second 20-km security perimeter, which includes 64 municipalities, specific restrictions apply:

• Restrictions on leisure activities, hunting, and biodiversity-related activities.
• Prohibition of any actions that may interfere with population control and biosecurity measures.

Access to the entire Collserola Park is restricted for leisure activities.

The following recommendations are made to citizens and municipalities:

• Increase the frequency of cleaning trash cans and containers.
• Place cat feeders in elevated locations.
• Inform the public that feeding wild boars is prohibited.
• Close picnic areas until further notice.
• Call 112 if you find a dead wild boar and do not touch it.

For more information about the disease, visit our special section on African swine fever, where you will find the latest related news, how to recognize the disease, how it is transmitted, images of lesions, and more.