Catalan authorities have announced an expansion of the high-risk zone due to the spread of the African swine fever virus. The detection of an infected wild boar in Sant Feliu de Llobregat forced officials to impose restrictions on the city of Barcelona itself. So far, 162 cases in animals have been confirmed in the region, raising serious concerns in the agricultural sector and requiring a coordinated response at the national level.

Barcelona in the risk zone

Authorities included the capital of Catalonia in the area subject to restrictions after finding an infected wild boar in neighboring Sant Feliu.

Appeal for state assistance

Minister Óscar Ordeig called on the government in Madrid to coordinate actions against ASF to protect the agricultural sector.

Expansion of the epidemic front

The virus has crossed the original ground zero zone, reaching the Baix Llobregat region, confirmed in seven new cases.

The epizootic situation in Catalonia has deteriorated sharply following the detection of new cases of African swine fever (ASF). The latest reports confirm the presence of the virus in a wild boar found in the town of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, marking the third case located outside the previous "ground zero" zone. As a result, the Government of Catalonia decided to immediately extend the sanitary cordon to the area of Barcelona itself. The Minister of Agriculture, Óscar Ordeig, acknowledged that the pathogen's expansion southward was predictable, but he called for calm. The total number of confirmed outbreaks in the region has risen to 31, with the virus detected in 162 animals across seven municipalities, including Cerdanyola del Vallès and Molins de Rei. The spread of the disease beyond the initial six-kilometer radius established in November highlights the difficulties in controlling the wild boar population in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Local authorities have intensified monitoring and imposed strict movement restrictions in forested areas to prevent further transmission of the virus by humans and equipment. African swine fever reached Europe from Georgia in 2007, and its presence in Spain in the 1960s led to a complete reorientation of the country's pork sector and years of trade isolation. In the face of the crisis, the Catalan agriculture department has requested assistance from the central government in Madrid and other autonomous communities. The goal is to develop a joint strategy to combat the epidemic, which threatens Spanish pork exports. Óscar Ordeig emphasized the need for close interdepartmental cooperation. Currently, veterinary services are focusing on securing pig farms, although so far the virus has only attacked the wild population in the Collserola massif. „The fact that the disease is spreading south of the original outbreak in Cerdanyola was predictable, but it requires even greater discipline in adhering to sanitary rules.” — Óscar Ordeig Number of Positive ASF Cases in Municipalities: Cerdanyola del Vallès: 84, Sant Cugat: 42, Molins de Rei: 18, Sant Feliu de Llobregat: 12, Others: 6 162 — infected animals detected since the beginning of the current crisisCatalan media emphasize the need for financial support from Madrid for local farmers and veterinary services. | National media warn about the impact of the epidemic on the image of Spanish pork in global markets.

Mentioned People

  • Óscar Ordeig — Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food in the Government of Catalonia.