African Swine Fever Detected in Catalonia Wild Boars; Immediate Area Closure Enforced
Spain confirms African Swine Fever cases in wild boars in Catalonia, triggers park closure and strict biosecurity measures.
- • Two wild boars tested positive for African Swine Fever in Bellaterra, Barcelona on November 26, 2025.
- • Collserola Natural Park closed indefinitely with personnel deployed to prevent access and outdoor activities banned.
- • Ministry of Agriculture calls for strict biosecurity and surveillance in pork farms and animal transport.
- • ASF classified as non-zoonotic but a category A disease in the EU, requiring urgent control measures.
Key details
Spain has confirmed the first cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) since 1994 with two wild boars testing positive in Bellaterra, Barcelona, on November 26, 2025. The Generalitat de Catalunya's veterinary services reported the detection to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. ASF is classified as a category A disease by the European Union, requiring stringent control and eradication measures.
The affected carcasses were found in the Collserola Natural Park area, which has now been closed indefinitely to contain the outbreak. The Consorcio del Parque Natural has deployed personnel to prevent public access and installed signage banning all outdoor activities. Authorities warn the closure may last for days or even weeks.
The Ministry has urged pork producers to enforce strict biosecurity protocols in farms and during animal transport. They have also called for heightened surveillance and immediate reporting of any suspected cases. Investigations into the origin of this incursion—occurring as ASF affects 13 EU countries since 2014—are underway.
Protocols in the impacted zone include delimiting the infected area, banning hunting, and officially removing wild boar carcasses under governmental supervision. Importantly, ASF is not a zoonotic disease and poses no risk to humans.
This rapid response aims to contain the outbreak swiftly and protect Spain’s significant pork industry from the devastating effects African Swine Fever has wrought elsewhere in Europe. The Ministry’s engagement highlights the gravity of the situation and the coordinated efforts underway to mitigate spread.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.