A new wild boar with African swine fever raises the number of outbreaks to 79 in Catalonia

A new wild boar found in El Papiol raises the number of African swine fever outbreaks in Catalonia to 79. Positive cases in wildlife now total 424 across 13 municipalities.

According to interempresas.net, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food confirmed a new outbreak of African swine fever in a wild boar located in El Papiol, in the province of Barcelona. With this finding, the total number of outbreaks detected in Catalonia rises to 79.

The case appears in the epidemiological update published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on November 5. It involves remains of a wild boar carcass found within the restricted zone II, an area marked by perimeter fencing.

The accumulated balance includes 3 primary outbreaks and 76 secondary ones, with 424 positive wild boars. The affected animals are spread across 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.

The authorities have analysed 14,689 animals with negative results. Of these, 12,505 were captured or shot without clinical symptoms, and 2,184 were investigated through passive surveillance, based on carcasses, remains found in the natural environment, or specimens shot with symptoms.

Control efforts continue with the search for carcasses, the use of traps, and the reduction of wild boar populations by trained rural agents and hunters. Additionally, fencing and other barriers have been reinforced to limit the movements of these animals.

For residents in the affected areas, the most visible change is the reinforcement of barriers around the findings. In pig farms located within the restricted zones, biosecurity inspections and enhanced surveillance are maintained.