ASF in Barcelona records new cases after two weeks without positives

After two weeks without new detections, African swine fever (ASF) has recorded five new positive cases in wild boar in the affected area of Barcelona. Three of them were detected in Sant Cugat del Vallès, while Barcelona and Molins de Rei recorded one positive case each. With these new detections, the outbreak has reached 68 reported outbreaks, three primary and 65 secondary, and a total of 384 positive wild boar, distributed across 13 municipalities: Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Terrassa, Rubí, Molins de Rei, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona, Sabadell, El Papiol, Castellbisbal and Esplugues de Llobregat.

ASF control and surveillance in Barcelona

The surveillance programme continues to focus on the early detection of new positive animals and on controlling the spread of the virus among wildlife. To this end, activities to search for and remove wild boar carcasses, capture animals and analyse samples remain in place, together with the control measures established in the affected areas.

An important part of these measures is also aimed at reducing the wild boar population, through trapping and other population control measures carried out by rural officers and hunters specifically trained for these tasks. Fencing and other barriers have also been reinforced at certain points, particularly along corridors used by wild boar, adapting them to the evolution of the epidemiological situation.

The intensity of the surveillance effort is also reflected in the number of animals tested. To date, 11,391 wild boar had been tested with negative results. Of these, 9,636 were animals captured or culled without symptoms, while 1,755 had been investigated through passive surveillance.

The detection of new cases after several weeks without positives provides further information on the evolution of the disease and its distribution within the wild boar population. For this reason, the authorities are maintaining the planned measures and epidemiological monitoring in the municipalities included in the highest-risk areas.

No ASF cases in pig farms

One of the main aspects of the outbreak’s evolution continues to be the absence of ASF cases in pig farms. To date, all confirmed positive cases in Catalonia correspond to wild boar, with no presence of the virus having been detected in domestic pigs. In this context, surveillance is also being maintained on pig farms located in the affected areas.

This situation highlights the importance of maintaining biosecurity measures on farms, particularly in areas close to territories where virus circulation has been detected. The aim is to prevent any route of entry for the pathogen and preserve the health status of domestic pigs while surveillance of wildlife continues.

Economic impact and financial support for ASF

ASF has also had consequences for various economic activities affected by the restrictions established in the highest-risk areas and by regionalisation measures. These include certain companies, slaughterhouses and pig farms that have faced difficulties as a result of the measures implemented during the outbreak.

In this context, the Generalitat has launched different financial support schemes for the sectors and activities affected. The package includes support for companies located in municipalities affected by the restrictions, specific measures for pig slaughterhouses and subsidised financing for pig farms that have experienced difficulties in marketing their animals.

These measures aim to help reduce the economic impact associated with managing ASF while surveillance and control activities continue. At the same time, the authorities are maintaining the measures established in the affected areas to limit the spread of the virus and support its control.