African swine fever has triggered sweeping forest access bans across 64 municipalities in Catalonia.

The extraordinary measures were activated by the Generalitat after a focus of the disease was confirmed in a forested area of Cerdanyola del Vallès.

Strict Perimeter Controls Enforced

The authorities have established two distinct perimeters of action to contain the outbreak.

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The strictest zone covers a six-kilometre radius around the detection point, encompassing 12 municipalities where all access to the natural environment is now completely prohibited. Consequently, recreational activities, walking, running, dog walking, hunting, and forestry work are all banned in this area.

Furthermore, physical barriers, chemical products, and traps have been installed to control the wild boar population, identified as the primary transmission vector for the virus. Meanwhile, a second, broader security ring extends up to 20 kilometres, affecting the bulk of the impacted territory. Here, restrictions do not constitute a total closure but impose strict limitations to avoid interference with surveillance and wildlife control tasks.

Major Natural Park and Urban Areas Affected

This expanded perimeter notably restricts recreational access to the entirety of the Parc Natural de Collserola, one of the most frequented natural spaces in the metropolitan area. The restrictions affect numerous municipalities, including Barcelona, Badalona, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Terrassa, Rubí, Sabadell, and Sant Cugat.

In the stricter six-kilometre zone, a dozen towns like Montcada i Reixac, Barberà del Vallès, and Ripollet have completely closed access to their natural surroundings. The Generalitat emphasises that African swine fever poses no risk to human health. However, its economic impact could be severe if it reaches livestock farms, a concern that has led to heightened security measures across the region, similar to other recent major public safety operations.

Accordingly, cleaning services have been reinforced, picnic areas closed, and public reminders issued that feeding wild boar is strictly prohibited. Residents are instructed to call 112 if they encounter a dead animal and not to handle it. The measures will remain in effect until further notice, depending on the outbreak’s evolution and the ongoing control work by animal health teams and the Agents Rurals.

The list of affected municipalities spans several comarques, including Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Maresme, Vallès Occidental, and Vallès Oriental. This operational response is designed to prevent the disease from expanding in its earliest phase. Mobility in forested areas is considered a risk factor in zones with high wild boar presence. Therefore, the Generalitat maintains active surveillance and will review the measures as the epidemiological situation develops, reflecting the administration’s focus on managing complex regional challenges.

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