ASF Spain: Virus emerges in 2 dead wild boar
For the first time in decades, African Swine Fever (ASF) has emerged in Spain. Two dead wild boar were tested positive for the virus, according to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
The dead animals were found on November 26 near Bellaterra, in the Collserola mountain range, which is at about 20 km from Barcelona in Catalonia.
The cases were confirmed positive by the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete in Madrid. Catalonia, together with Aragón, are the 2 most important areas for swine production in Spain, which is the EU’s number #1 pork producer.
As a result of the outbreak, all kinds of measures have been set in motion by various authorities. A control zone as is being installed around the finding place, and active surveillance and trapping is being applied within a 20 km radius of the area where the positive cases were found.
At the moment it is not clear how the wild boar got infected. Investigations into the possible origin of the disease detected in these wild animals have already begun.
Spain is familiar with ASF
Spain is familiar with African Swine Fever, as genotype I of the virus circulated in the country for many decades as from the mid-20th century. After a very strong coordinated effort, in November 1994, the virus vanished from the country. As a result, Spain has become a knowledge hub for ASF knowledge. The current infection wave in Europe is genotype II.
Coincidentally only recently the news broke that Spain had agreed with China to apply regionlisation in case of an outbreak of ASF within its borders. Other countries outside the EU, however, may close their borders for Spanish pork.
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