African Swine Fever Detected Near Barcelona: Hunters and Hikers Urged to Take Precautions

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:32:29 +0000

African Swine Fever Detected Near Barcelona: Hunters and Hikers Urged to Take Precautions

swine fever, catalonia

Wed, 03-12-2025

Catalonia, Spain — Authorities are on high alert after nine confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were detected in wild boar just outside Barcelona, marking the first appearance of the disease in Spain since 1994.

What Happened?

The first two infected wild boar were discovered on 26 November 2025 in a wooded area near Bellaterra, close to Cerdanyola del Vallès.
As surveillance intensified, seven additional carcasses tested positive for ASF in the same region.
All cases are concentrated in a single forested zone just outside Barcelona, indicating localized circulation of the virus.

Containment Measures

The response from Spanish and regional authorities has been swift and strict:

A 6 km core zone around the infection site has been fully closed to the public — no hiking, trekking, or hunting is allowed.
A surrounding 20 km buffer zone remains accessible but subject to restrictions and intensive monitoring.
Police, forest rangers, veterinary teams, and military personnel have been deployed for carcass detection, trapping, perimeter security, and biosecurity measures.
No domestic pig farms have been affected so far, but farms in the region are under heightened surveillance.

Advice for Hunters, Hikers & Outdoor Enthusiasts

Authorities urge anyone who plans to hunt, hike, or trek in or near Catalonia — especially in wooded areas around Barcelona — to maintain strict biosecurity:

Disinfect footwear before and after entering forests or rural terrain.
Clean and disinfect hunting equipment, clothing, and vehicle compartments.
Avoid direct contact with wild boar or carcasses and immediately report any found dead animals.
Do not bring contaminated soil, mud, or organic material out of the area.

ASF is not dangerous to humans, but it is highly contagious and deadly to pigs and wild boar. Introducing the virus into domestic pig herds would have devastating economic consequences for Spain’s pork industry.

Regional Outlook

With Catalonia bordering France and close to other key wildlife corridors, European veterinary services remain on alert. EU experts have been deployed to assist Spain’s containment efforts and prevent potential spread.