Overview

• The Central Veterinary Laboratory in Algete confirmed the outbreak at a farm in Alt Empordà, Girona, marking Spain’s first detection after earlier cases in France and Italy.
• Officials have slaughtered 123 calves at the affected holding and begun disinfection with strict controls on entries, exits, vehicles and materials.
• A 20‑kilometer protection zone is in place for 28 days with surveillance out to 50 kilometers, immobilizing about 800 farms and roughly 93,000 cattle.
• Health authorities stress the disease does not infect humans and meat and dairy remain safe; transmission occurs via biting insects and direct or indirect animal contact.
• Catalonia is investigating how the virus entered the closed herd and is seeking authorization for emergency vaccination and rapid farmer compensation, while non‑EU exports may face restrictions under EU rules.