Catalan authorities have confirmed another 33 cases of African swine fever (ASF) within the region’s wild boar population, raising the total number of detected infections to 195. Òscar Ordeig, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food for the Generalitat de Catalunya, made the announcement on Thursday.

Crucially, officials stressed that all new cases were identified within the existing high-risk quarantine area, also known as the ‘zero zone’. This indicates that stringent containment measures currently prevent the disease from spreading into new territories. The quarantine affects 16 municipalities surrounding Barcelona, where public access to natural environments has been prohibited to minimise the risk of transmission.

African swine fever is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. While it poses no threat to human health, its potential to devastate the pork industry makes containment a top priority for agricultural authorities across Europe. The Catalan government is now implementing strict protocols established by the European Commission for controlling outbreaks.

Eradication Plan and ‘White Zones’

Speaking to the press, Minister Ordeig outlined the government’s strategy, which is now moving towards a more aggressive eradication phase. This plan involves creating ‘white zones’-areas completely cleared of wild boars-to act as a firebreak against the virus’s advance. The focus will be on a 20-kilometre radius around the outbreak’s epicentre.

“The wild boars must be eliminated and we must create white zones,” Ordeig stated, as reported by VilaWeb. He emphasised the need to work within a “reasonable timeframe” to achieve this goal.

This strategy also benefits from a significant financial commitment. According to a report from La Sexta, the government has already invested around €10 million in perimeter fencing and plans to reinforce these barriers. This effort mirrors the approach taken by Belgium, which successfully eradicated ASF over a two-year period. However, Ordeig cautioned that the priority is to “do it well and without missteps” rather than rushing the process.

Current Restrictions and Surveillance

The high-risk zone currently encompasses areas within 16 municipalities, including parts of Barcelona itself, alongside major suburban towns such as Sabadell, Terrassa, and Sant Cugat del Vallès. The full list also includes Badia del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Montcada i Reixac, Polinyà, Ripollet, Rubí, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Molins de Rei, El Papiol, and Sant Feliu de Llobregat.

In these designated zones, access to natural spaces like forests and parks remains forbidden for both individuals and groups. However, daily life and economic activity can continue, with residents permitted to access their homes and enclosed spaces such as offices, restaurants, and sports facilities. These measures aim to prevent humans from inadvertently carrying the virus on footwear or vehicles from contaminated areas.

The surveillance and control operation has been extensive. As part of a drastic plan to reduce the wild boar population, authorities have culled 13,600 animals across Catalonia since the start of the year. Within the 20-kilometre surveillance radius, over 1,500 boars-both captured and found dead-have been analysed for the virus. Despite the local outbreak, Ordeig noted that the vast majority of international markets for Catalan pork products remain open, and the sector’s exports and turnover have not been negatively affected.