The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of African swine fever in Catalonia with four positive wild boars. The total balance rises to 64 outbreaks and 372 infected animals, all in wildlife and with no infections in domestic pigs.
African swine fever (ASF) remains active in the province of Barcelona. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has reported a new outbreak with four positive cases in wild boars, according to the update published on July 23, 2026. The animals were found dead, located from their remains or captured within the fenced perimeter of restricted zone II.
With this new outbreak, Catalonia now has a total of 64 ASF outbreaks, of which three are primary and 61 secondary. The total number of infected wild boars has risen to 372, spread across 13 municipalities, most of them in Vallès Occidental and Baix Llobregat.
The affected municipalities are Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Terrassa, Rubí, Molins de Rei, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona, Sabadell, El Papiol, Castellbisbal and Esplugues de Llobregat. All of them are part of the restricted area established to contain the spread of the virus.
The authorities maintain an intensive surveillance operation. To date, 9,465 animals have been tested with negative results, of which 8,019 correspond to wild boars captured or shot without clinical symptoms. The remaining 1,446 come from passive surveillance, including complete carcasses and remains found in the natural environment.
Control efforts include systematic searches for carcasses, the installation of capture traps, and the involvement of rural agents and hunters trained under official supervision. Perimeter fencing has also been reinforced, especially in corridors used by wild boars, adapting measures to the epidemiological evolution.
So far, no Catalan pig farms have reported positive ASF cases. The Official Veterinary Services continue inspections in farms located in restricted zones I and II, reviewing biosecurity measures and applying the enhanced passive surveillance required by community regulations. Most farms within zone II are currently empty.
The Ministry of Agriculture reminds that African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and does not transmit to humans. However, it can cause high mortality in wild boars and domestic pigs, with serious health and commercial consequences for the pig sector. Therefore, it calls for heightened biosecurity in pig farms, facilities housing wild boars, animal transport vehicles, and equipment or materials that may have come into contact with wildlife.
In case of any suspicion in wild boars or pig farms, authorities urge immediate communication to the Official Veterinary Services of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Citizen and sector collaboration is key to preventing the spread of the virus and protecting the pig population, a strategic sector in the Catalan economy.
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