Three more wild boars confirmed dead from swine fever in Collserola: the total is now sixteen

BarcelonaThe Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed three new cases of wild boar deaths from African swine fever (ASF) in the area where the first outbreak was detected, in Collserola. With Friday's confirmations, the number of animals that have died from this virus in Catalonia has reached sixteen. In a statement, the ministry explained that 115 wild boar carcasses found dead in the wild or on roads and railway lines in the infected area and its surroundings have also been analyzed and have tested negative. Meanwhile, official veterinary services in Catalonia continue visits and sample collection at 55 farms located in the area considered to be at highest risk – the municipalities within a 20-kilometer radius of the outbreak's epicenter – which remain free of the disease.

Meanwhile, Rural Agents have intensified the containment of the six-kilometer radius from the epicenter of the African swine fever outbreak, closing 54 wild boar crossing points and repairing 22 potential escape routes near highways and railway lines, including the C-5 Renfe line, where work has also been carried out to secure the immediate perimeter.

This fortification will remain in place for at least two months, according to Chief Inspector Antoni Mur, who explained that this area encompasses 14,000 hectares that are being continuously monitored to track wild boar and detect any new carcasses due to the swine fever. Approximately 300 personnel from Rural Agents, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), and the Forest Fire Defense Association (ADF) are working daily, on foot and with the assistance of canine units in the more rugged terrain.

Cages and silenced weapons

Once the first perimeter was secured, they began capturing wild boars in the second ring—the one extending up to 20 kilometers—using cages and silenced weapons. In this second area, since the control began two weeks ago, they have found more than 200 dead wild boars, mostly due to being hit by vehicles, according to reports.

The impact of the African swine fever crisis is focused on the commercial sector because the declaration of an outbreak has led some forty countries to block more than one hundred export health certificates. These countries do not accept regionalization; that is, they are banning the entry of products from all of Spain, not just from the affected area.