Spain is expanding areas affected by African swine fever (ASF) after new cases were detected in wild fauna. The decision comes amid a growing number of infected wild boars and the need to contain the spread of the virus.
A new ASF case identified in mid-April in the municipality of Castellbisbal prompted authorities to revise the boundaries of the inner infected zone (zone II). It has now been expanded to approximately 36 km east to west and 43 km north to south. As a result, the outer zone (zone I) has also been extended to include additional municipalities.
As of the end of April, the number of ASF cases in wild boar in Spain has risen to 297. In the past week alone, 13 new cases were confirmed across 12 municipalities in three administrative districts. At the same time, specialists have analyzed more than 4,100 carcasses of non-infected animals as part of large-scale surveillance efforts.
The ASF situation may also affect major international events. In particular, one of the stages of the Tour de France, which this year begins in Spain, is at risk. The stage scheduled for July 5 from Tarragona to Barcelona проходит через природний парк Collserola, where ASF outbreaks have been recorded.
According to local media, authorities have recommended that organizers alter the route to avoid passing through the infected area. Alternative options are currently under consideration, as restricting public access along that section is not seen as an effective solution.
A similar situation occurred last year, when a stage of the Tour de France was modified due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in cattle.
PigUA.info, based on materials from pigprogress.net