The first two cases were confirmed on November 26 in Bellaterra. On December 3, the Ministry of Agriculture reported seven more positive results. The latest four cases were identified during active surveillance within the designated infected zone. Until this outbreak, Spain had been free of ASF for three decades — the virus was officially eradicated from the Iberian Peninsula in 1995.
According to preliminary assessments, the virus was likely introduced through contaminated food waste that entered the forested area due to human negligence. This is currently considered the most probable route of ASF introduction into Catalonia.
Veterinary services in Catalonia are inspecting 39 pig farms located within the control zone. As of today, all farms remain free of the disease, with samples showing no signs of infection.
Additionally, 37 wild boar carcasses found in the surrounding area have all tested negative. Search efforts for dead animals are ongoing.
A large-scale multi-agency operation is underway in the region. Units involved include:
- Catalonia’s Rural Agents Corps (120 specialists, 26 mobile teams),
- The Military Emergency Unit (MEU) — more than 110 personnel,
- Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra,
- Guardia Civil and local police.
Their tasks include controlling access to the infected area, full disinfection of vehicles, locating carcasses, setting traps, and monitoring the terrain using drones and infrared technology.
A team of veterinary experts from the European Commission’s Emergency Veterinary Team has also arrived in Spain. The specialists are assessing the effectiveness of the current containment measures and preparing recommendations for further outbreak control.
PigUA.info based on materials from nationalhogfarmer.com