African Swine Fever Spreads Beyond High-Risk Zone in Catalonia as Government Begins Fining Violators

Catalan agricultural officials have confirmed a recent case of African swine fever detected outside the established high-risk zone, marking the third such instance where the virus has appeared beyond initial containment areas. The discovery in Castellbisbal has prompted the regional government to add the Vallès Occidental municipality to its list of areas with restricted access to natural spaces and start issuing fines to those violating biosecurity measures.

According to verified reports from Catalan agricultural authorities, the case was identified in a wild boar found dead in Castellbisbal, located in the Vallès Occidental comarca. Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig announced the detection this Wednesday, confirming it as one of 16 positive cases identified across Catalonia during the previous week. The finding represents a significant development in the ongoing effort to control the spread of the highly contagious virus among wild swine populations.

The confirmation follows a pattern of expanding concern, as health officials had previously detected cases in Sant Feliu de Llobregat that led to the inclusion of parts of Barcelona’s Vallvidrera, Tibidabo, and Les Planes neighborhoods within the high-risk area. Those earlier discoveries forced authorities to expand the security radius from six to twenty kilometers around the initial outbreak focus in Cerdanyola del Vallès for the second time within a single week.

With the Castellbisbal case now confirmed, officials state that the total number of African swine fever cases detected since the beginning of the outbreak has reached 162. This cumulative figure includes the most recent cluster of infections, with authorities reporting that up to seven additional cases were identified beyond the latest official tally, bringing the running total to its current level.

In response to the evolving situation, the Catalan government has implemented what officials describe as a “drastic and urgent” reduction strategy targeting wild boar populations in the zone between six and twenty kilometers from the original outbreak site. Agriculture Minister Ordeig emphasized that the goal is to “clear the mountains of animals as quickly as possible” to break transmission chains, particularly in areas previously classified as lower risk but now showing signs of viral presence.

As part of the enhanced containment measures, access to natural spaces has been restricted in all municipalities now included in the high-risk designation. Officials confirm that approximately fifteen municipalities across Catalonia currently face total restrictions on entry to forests, parks, and other natural areas as authorities work to limit human-wildlife interactions that could spread the virus further or expose people to contaminated environments.

Beyond spatial restrictions, authorities have begun enforcing penalties against individuals who violate biosecurity protocols. Even as specific fine amounts were not detailed in the verified sources, the government has made clear that leaving food waste in accessible areas or entering restricted zones will now carry financial consequences. This enforcement approach represents an escalation from previous reliance on public advisories alone.

The agricultural department continues to urge citizens to avoid discarding food in natural spaces where wild boars might access it, citing this as a critical factor in preventing new infection hotspots. Officials stress that maintaining the twenty-kilometer security perimeter remains essential, with technical teams determining the precise application of restrictions based on ongoing risk assessments.

Monitoring efforts remain intensive, with authorities reporting that over 13,600 wild boars have been captured in Catalonia during the first four months of 2026 alone as part of population control initiatives. These capture operations form a key component of the broader strategy to reduce density of potential virus carriers in affected and at-risk areas.

The situation continues to evolve as veterinary epidemiologists track the virus’s movement through wild populations. Authorities emphasize that containment success depends on public cooperation with access restrictions and proper waste disposal, alongside ongoing surveillance and targeted intervention in newly affected localities like Castellbisbal.

For the latest updates on the African swine fever situation in Catalonia, including official case numbers, restricted area maps, and guidance for residents, the public is directed to consult the Catalan Department of Agriculture’s official communications channels.

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