Detected 33 new cases of African swine fever in the high-risk zone of Vallès and Baix Llobregat
The outbreak reaches 195 positives and maintains restrictions in 16 municipalities
The Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, confirmed this Thursday the detection of 33 new positives for African swine fever in the high-risk zone affecting several municipalities in Vallès Occidental, Baix Llobregat and Barcelona. With these cases, the total number of positives rises to 195 infected animals since the start of the outbreak.
Restrictions remain in force in 16 municipalities, where the prohibition of accessing the natural environment and carrying out activities both individually and in groups is maintained. The localities affected totally or partially are Badia del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Montcada i Reixac, Polinyà, Ripollet, Rubí, Sabadell, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Terrassa, Molins de Rei, el Papiol, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Barcelona.
Access control and economic activity in the affected area
In these municipalities, access to housing, the development of economic activities in enclosed spaces, and attendance at restaurants or sports facilities remains permitted. However, entry to the natural environment remains restricted to prevent the spread of the disease.
Plan of eradication and monitoring of wildlife
The minister has explained that a wild boar eradication plan is being finalized in the first 20 kilometers of the detected outbreak. This plan will be applied with a "reasonable temporal horizon", according to Ordeig, who has insisted on the need to act quickly and effectively.
"One must eliminate wild boars and generate white zones" - Òscar Ordeig, Councillor of Agriculture
Within a 20-kilometer radius around the focus, more than 1,000 wild boars have already been analyzed to control the spread of the virus. Since January 1, 13,600 wild boars have been culled throughout Catalonia as part of the containment measures.
The monitoring and surveillance continue in the area, while the authorities insist on the importance of complying with the restrictions to curb the transmission of African swine fever.