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ASF Spain: Containment plan and suspected new cases

The containment plan was launched following the confirmation of two cases of African swine fever in wild boars. Four possible new cases are awaiting official confirmation.

1 December 2025
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Following official confirmation on November 28 of the first two cases of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain in two wild boars found dead in the province of Barcelona, ​​the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food of the Government of Catalonia immediately activated exceptional control, prevention, and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

On the morning of November 29, the Minister of Agriculture of the Catalan Government confirmed in an interview the detection of four new suspected cases in wild boars found dead in the same area, pending confirmation by the reference laboratory. According to the Catalan Minister, this rapid discovery confirms that the containment measures are working. The official confirmation of these cases would not affect the containment plan established.

The Catalan Department of Agriculture reported on November 30 that all 39 pig farms located within the surveillance zone established around the outbreak of ASF have tested negative.

Containment plan

Closure of the 6-km radius and prohibition of activities in the natural environment

In the area closest to the detection point (radius of 6 km), which includes 12 municipalities (Sabadell, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Polinyà, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Montcada i Reixac, Ripollet, Barberà del Vallès, Badia del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Terrassa, and Rubí), the following has been ordered:

  • Complete closure of access to the natural environment.
  • Suspension of all hunting and forestry work.
  • Prohibition of all activities in rural areas for biosecurity reasons.
  • Installation of physical and chemical barriers, as well as traps for wild boar control.
  • Activation of joint operations with Rural Agents, Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan Police), SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service), and Department technicians.

To reinforce the operation and ensure the containment of the outbreak, the Catalan Government has requested the support of the Game Control Unit of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which will join the teams already deployed in the area.

Restrictions within a 20 km radius

In a second 20-km security perimeter, which includes 64 municipalities, specific restrictions apply:

  • Restrictions on leisure activities, hunting, and biodiversity-related activities.
  • Prohibition of any actions that may interfere with population control and biosecurity measures.

Access to the entire Collserola Park is restricted for leisure activities.

The following recommendations are made to citizens and municipalities:

  • Increase the frequency of cleaning trash cans and containers.
  • Place cat feeders in elevated locations.
  • Inform the public that feeding wild boars is prohibited.
  • Close picnic areas until further notice.
  • Call 112 if you find a dead wild boar and do not touch it.

For more information about the disease, visit our special section on African swine fever, where you will find the latest related news, how to recognize the disease, how it is transmitted, images of lesions, and more.

November 29, 2025/ 333 Staff.

See the "Disease manual" for more information

African swine feverAfrican swine fever is one of the most important viral diseases in pigs. It is a systemic disease and is notifiable on most countries.

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FAQs

Why has access been prohibited to the area where the dead wild boars were found due to African swine fever?

Infected animals shed large quantities of the virus in feces, blood, saliva, etc. The ASF virus is very resistant and can survive in the environment for a long time and be unintentionally transported by vehicle wheels, bicycles, footwear, pets, etc., to areas where the virus was not present, thus increasing the number of wild boars that could become infected, sick, and die, and increasing the risk of the virus reaching pig farms.

 

Why is feeding wild boars and wildlife in general prohibited?

There are several reasons. Although controls exist at airports, ports, etc., it is impossible to guarantee that there are no illegal entries of meat products from countries affected by diseases that do not exist in Spain. Many pathogens can survive in these meat products for long periods of time and cause serious illnesses if wild boars have access to them.

If the animals become accustomed to being fed by humans or having access to garbage, they frequent inhabited areas more often, creating greater conflict with the population (for example, traffic accidents). Access to constant food sources such as garbage or food provided by humans can encourage wild boars to reproduce beyond the capacity of the local ecosystem, making them dependent on these food sources that are outside of their natural diet, which makes them highly vulnerable.

Why has hunting been banned in the affected area if the aim is to reduce the wild boar population?

It is very important that animals potentially infected with this virus do not leave their usual area so that they do not spread the virus to another area and infect a larger number of wild boars. Therefore, in this higher-risk area, any activity that could frighten them and cause them to leave their usual area is being banned. Furthermore, vehicles themselves, hunters, and their dogs could also help spread the virus through contact. Hunting and forestry work are prohibited, and public access to the area is restricted.

Why, in cases of African swine fever, are cat feeders recommended to be placed in high areas where wild boars cannot access them?

Cat food is very appealing to wild boars. If it is regularly placed in specific areas they can access, the animals easily become accustomed to this appealing food source.

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