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Catalonia Deploys Troops as African Swine Fever Hits Wild Boars Near Barcelona

Officials say domestic farms in the risk zone have tested negative to date.

Overview

  • Authorities have confirmed nine infected wild boars near Cerdanyola del Vallès in the Collserola area after the first two carcasses were found on November 26.
  • Catalonia closed natural areas within a 20-kilometre radius and placed 39 nearby pig farms under strict confinement, with more than 400 personnel including 117 soldiers enforcing controls.
  • Testing of farms in the designated zone returned 100% negative results, and no domestic pigs in Spain have been found infected.
  • The agriculture minister said about one-third of export destinations have temporarily paused imports, while China continues to accept pork from regions outside Barcelona.
  • Investigators are examining a possible contaminated-food pathway, and industry leaders expect additional wild-boar cases and note that 12 months without detections are required to lift restrictions.