The detection of the first wild boar infected with African swine fever in Barcelona has led to the closure of all access to Collserola Natural Park.
The Catalonia Department of Agriculture has reported a new case of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar located in the municipality of Barcelona, prompting high alert among local authorities. This marks the first confirmed case of an infected wild boar within the city limits, following an increase in ASF cases in the region, which has now reached 216 instances across Catalonia. The authorities have indicated that the infected boar is linked to a recent outbreak detected in nearby Sant Just Desvern, raising concerns about spreading the disease further into urban areas.
In response to this development, the Catalan government has ordered the closure of all entrances to the Collserola Natural Park to prevent further contamination and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas. The Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing, and Food, Ã’scar Ordeig, emphasized that the situation demands a reconsideration of containment strategies due to the potential risks associated with ASF spreading into more populated regions.
The Generalitat has reached out for assistance from the central government and other autonomous communities to bolster containment efforts and manage the outbreak effectively. Authorities are urging vigilance as they implement new safety measures aimed at controlling the situation, stressing the importance of public cooperation in preventing any escalation of the disease.
