Following official confirmation on November 28 of the first two cases of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain in two wild boars found dead in the province of Barcelona, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food of the Government of Catalonia immediately activated exceptional control, prevention, and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
On the morning of November 29, the Minister of Agriculture of the Catalan Government confirmed in an interview the detection of four new suspected cases in wild boars found dead in the same area, pending confirmation by the reference laboratory. According to the Catalan Minister, this rapid discovery confirms that the containment measures are working. The official confirmation of these cases would not affect the containment plan established.
The Catalan Department of Agriculture reported on November 30 that all 39 pig farms located within the surveillance zone established around the outbreak of ASF have tested negative.
Containment plan
Closure of the 6-km radius and prohibition of activities in the natural environment
In the area closest to the detection point (radius of 6 km), which includes 12 municipalities (Sabadell, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Polinyà, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Montcada i Reixac, Ripollet, Barberà del Vallès, Badia del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Terrassa, and Rubí), the following has been ordered:
- Complete closure of access to the natural environment.
- Suspension of all hunting and forestry work.
- Prohibition of all activities in rural areas for biosecurity reasons.
- Installation of physical and chemical barriers, as well as traps for wild boar control.
- Activation of joint operations with Rural Agents, Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan Police), SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service), and Department technicians.
To reinforce the operation and ensure the containment of the outbreak, the Catalan Government has requested the support of the Game Control Unit of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which will join the teams already deployed in the area.
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