African swine fever adds two new outbreaks in Terrassa and 12 other municipalities

African swine fever adds two new outbreaks in Catalonia, with 368 positive wild boars in 13 municipalities, including Terrassa, Sabadell, and Barcelona.

African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread through Vallès Occidental and Baix Llobregat. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has confirmed two new outbreaks since July 9, raising the total to 63 in Catalonia, with 368 positive wild boars recorded. The cases are concentrated in 13 municipalities in the province of Barcelona, including Terrassa, Rubí, Sant Cugat del Vallès, and Sabadell.

The two new outbreaks correspond to three captured wild boars and remains of a carcass found in restricted area II, the area fenced off to contain the virus. The Official Veterinary Services of the Generalitat have reported these cases following the latest update on July 9, according to the MAPA report.

63 outbreaks and 13 affected municipalities in the province

The official balance lists 63 outbreaks of ASF in Catalonia, of which 3 are primary and 60 secondary. The municipalities where positives have been located 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.

In the Vallès Occidental region, where Terrassa is located, several of the active outbreaks are concentrated. The proximity of urban areas and forested regions facilitates contact between wild boars and pig farms, necessitating heightened vigilance. Authorities remind that ASF does not affect humans but is lethal to pigs and causes significant economic losses.

Intensive control with traps and search for carcasses

The Generalitat is maintaining intensive search efforts for wild boar carcasses and actions to reduce their population in the affected area. Capture traps, specific pens, Pig Brig-type systems, and the collaboration of trained rural agents and hunters are being used. In total, 8,989 animals have been tested with negative results, of which 7,576 were captured or shot without symptoms and 1,413 were from passive surveillance.

The reinforcement of fencing and isolation barriers in the usual corridors of wild boars is another key measure. The gradual adaptation to the epidemiological evolution aims to prevent the virus from jumping to commercial pig farms. So far, all outbreaks are limited to wildlife, but the risk to the Catalan pig sector, one of the most important in Spain, is high.

For residents of Terrassa and municipalities in Vallès Occidental, the recommendation is to avoid contact with dead or sick wild boars and to report any findings to health authorities. Controlled hunting and traps will remain active over the coming months to contain the spread.