Spanish authorities have called in the military to tackle a serious outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the region surrounding Barcelona. This marks the first appearance of the devastating animal disease in the area for thirty years.
Source of the Outbreak
Investigators are probing the possibility that the highly contagious virus entered the country via a contaminated sausage sandwich brought in from abroad. While the disease poses no risk to human health, it is almost always fatal for pigs and wild boars. The outbreak was first detected in wild boar populations, with nine confirmed cases so far.
Major Response and Economic Fallout
A significant containment operation is now underway. Authorities have mobilised 300 Catalan police officers and 117 military personnel to help manage the crisis. Teams are using drones and sniffer dogs to locate wild boar carcasses for testing. Farms in the zone have reinforced their biosecurity measures, though, as of Tuesday 2 December 2025, no domestic pigs have tested positive.
The economic impact has been immediate and severe. Several countries, including the United Kingdom and China, have swiftly banned pork imports from the affected province of Barcelona. This export freeze threatens Spain's multi-billion-euro pork industry, a critical sector for the national economy.
Ongoing Control Efforts
The primary focus remains on containing the virus within the designated zone to prevent its spread to commercial pig farms. The use of military resources underscores the seriousness with which the Spanish government is treating the incursion. Experts continue to trace the origin while monitoring the wild boar population closely. The situation remains fluid, with international trade partners awaiting further updates before lifting restrictions.
