Two cases of African swine fever detected in wild boars near Barcelona

The Spanish government confirmed on Friday that two wild boars found dead in Cerdanyola del Vallès, just outside Barcelona, have tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

Spain last suffered a major outbreak of the virus in November 1994, the authorities said in a statement.

In response to the outbreak among wild animals, the agriculture and interior ministries have activated a contingency plan to contain the disease.

African swine fever does not spread to humans, either through direct contact or by consuming pork products.

Pork exports halted

No cases have been reported on farms so far. However, following the detection in wild boars, all Spanish pork exports outside the European Union are automatically suspended.

Pork accounts for 19.3% of Spain's total food exports.

Authorities have identified all pig farms within a 20 km radius of the location where the wild boars were found and restricted the movement of live animals, including to slaughterhouses.

Farming sector calls for calm

Agricultural organizations called for calm on Friday, following news of the two cases. 

Pere Roqué, president of ASAJA in Lleida, called for the Collserola outbreak to be quickly contained and addressed, emphasizing that biosecurity conditions today are far superior than in 1994, when Spain experienced a major ASF outbreak.

Jordi Siscart, head of the pork sector at JARC, also appealed for trust in the Catalan and Spanish agriculture departments to control the outbreak and prevent its spread.

Siscart added that the two wild boars were found within three to 24 hours of death, allowing authorities to act quickly.