Since the latest update on the African swine fever (ASF) situation, sent on 22 October 2026, the Official Veterinary Services (SVO) of the Generalitat of Catalonia have reported the detection of 1 new outbreak, comprising 4 new cases in wild boar in the municipalities of Sant Cugat del Vallès (1 case) and Sant Quirze del Vallès (3 cases). In all cases, carcass remains were found, estimated by DARPA to be more than 5 months old, and they are located in restricted zone II, within the area enclosed by the perimeter fences.

With this new outbreak, the reported outbreaks rise to 78, of which 3 are primary and 75 secondary, for a total of 423 positive cases/wild boar in 13 municipalities: Cerdanyola del Vallès, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Terrassa, Rubí, Molins de Rei, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona, Sabadell, El Papiol, Castellbisbal, and Esplugues de Llobregat.

Localizzazione dettagliata dei casi di cinghiali rilevati nella zona ristretta II (Fonte: Dipartimento dell'Agricoltura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació). Detailed location of the wild boar cases detected in restricted zone II (Source: Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food).

Furthermore, to date, another 14.313 animals have been tested, with negative results, of which:

  • 12.184 correspond to animals captured or killed without showing clinical symptoms and
  • In the restricted areas and surrounding areas, 2.129 cases were examined through passive surveillance (carcasses or remains found in the natural environment, or animals with symptoms that were culled).
Evoluzione dei casi positivi, dei contagi e della sorveglianza passiva settimanale nelle zone I e II. Fonte: 333 sulla base dei dati MAPA. Evolution of positive cases, infections, and weekly passive surveillance in zones I and II. Source: 333 based on MAPA data.

According to data from the Department of Agriculture of the Generalitat de Catalonia (DARPA), 377 wild boars were captured in the restricted area (high- and low-risk zones) during the past week by the Department of the Interior and Public Security forces (Rural Agents and Mossos d'Esquadra), hunters' associations, the Special Group for the Prevention of Forest Fires (GEPIF), and Tragsa wildlife control teams. The total number of wild boars captured in the affected area is 14.736.

Operational capacity

Within the high-risk zone, according to DARPA, a total of 34 traps and 93 collective traps (pigbrigs). To prevent wild boars from entering or leaving restricted areas, 353 perimeter blockades have been implemented.

This week, the operation involved 993 people, of whom 349 belonged to the intervention group (Rural Agents, GECA, GEK9, Drone Unit, ADF, Mossos d'Esquadra, Tragsa, GEPIF and canine units from a private Catalan company) and 644 to the control group (Mossos d'Esquadra, Local Police, Civil Protection volunteers and the Civil Guard).

The Ministry of Agriculture also coordinates and authorizes captures in the low-risk zone, in collaboration with hunting associations and local authorities. This weekend, 30 hunting drives were carried out, with the participation of 659 hunters, 690 dogs and another 42 hunters in hunting stands.

Remember that you can find all the information about the disease in our section ASF Special.

Thursday 29 October 2026/ Editorial team 333 based on data from MAPA and DARPA.