Catalonia reports four new cases of African swine fever in wild boars, totalling 400 cases

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed four new cases of African swine fever in wild boars, two in Sant Cugat del Vallès and two in El Papiol. Since the first positive case on November 28, 13,541 specimens have been analysed and 400 have tested positive.

African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread among the wild boar population in Catalonia. The Department of Agriculture of the Generalitat has confirmed this week four new positive cases, all located in the high-risk area: two in Sant Cugat del Vallès and two in El Papiol. Of the 405 samples analysed in the latest report, 401 were negative, resulting in a positivity rate of 1%, according to eurocarne.com.

The total since the first case was detected on November 28 leaves no doubt about the magnitude of the outbreak: 13,541 wild boars have been examined, of which 400 tested positive and 13,141 negative. The high-risk area now encompasses 19 municipalities, including Sabadell, Terrassa, Rubí, Cerdanyola del Vallès, and Sant Cugat del Vallès, as well as the enclave of Barcelona and access points to the Collserola Natural Park.

To curb the spread, the eradication device has intensified captures. Just in the last week, 429 wild boars were culled in the restricted area, bringing the total to 12,818 since the crisis began. In the high-risk area, 34 traps and 93 pig brigs (collective traps) have been installed, and 351 closures have been executed to prevent the entry or exit of animals.

This week's operation involved 1,008 personnel: 364 from the intervention group and 644 from the order group. Additionally, in the low-risk area, 20 drives were held over the weekend with 378 hunters and 426 dogs, along with 72 hunters in waiting.

The Generalitat maintains access restrictions to natural areas in the municipalities of the high-risk zone. It has also reiterated a series of recommendations to the public: do not feed wild boars, dispose of waste in closed containers, and notify 112 if dead animals or those showing symptoms compatible with the disease are detected.

"Do not feed wild boars, dispose of waste in closed containers, and notify 112 if you detect dead animals or those with symptoms," insists the Department of Agriculture.

Authorities remind that African swine fever does not affect humans, but its presence in wildlife impacts hunting activities and access to natural spaces in municipalities such as Sant Cugat del Vallès, El Papiol, or Cerdanyola del Vallès. The next weekly report from the Department of Agriculture will reveal whether the positivity curve stabilises or continues to rise.