African Swine Fever Outbreak in Spain: Military Deployed to Contain Spread

An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) near Barcelona, Spain, has prompted the deployment of the military to help contain the virus and protect the country’s significant pork industry. As of March 6, 2026, the number of infected wild boar has risen to 216, with 21 new cases reported recently. The outbreak, first detected in November 2025, continues to expand, raising concerns among agricultural organizations and veterinarians.

Current Situation and Spread

The affected area spans 16.8 km north to south and 7.5 km east to west, encompassing parts of two districts: Vallès Occidental (202 cases) and Baix Llobregat (14 cases). Eight municipalities have reported the presence of the virus in their wild boar populations, with Cerdanyola del Vallès accounting for the majority of cases – 129 infected carcasses [1]. The recent expansion includes the municipalities of Sant Just Desvern and Esplugues de Llobregat, now designated as high-risk areas.

The number of infected wild boar has been steadily increasing since the initial detection. In November 2025, 13 cases were identified, rising to 34 in December, 78 in January, and 91 in February [2].

Containment Measures

Spain has implemented strict containment measures to prevent the further spread of ASF. These include:

• Military Deployment: 117 members of Spain’s military emergency unit are utilizing drones to locate and remove potentially infected animals [3].
• Exclusion Zone: A 3.7-mile exclusion zone has been established around the affected area in Bellaterra, restricting access to natural areas and recreational activities [3].
• Police and Rural Warden Presence: 300 Catalan police and rural wardens are actively monitoring the area.
• Access Restrictions: Access to homes, sports facilities, and economic activities within the perimeter of the high-risk areas is permitted, but access to natural areas is prohibited.

Possible Origins and Concerns

Initial investigations suggested that the virus may have spread after wild boar consumed contaminated food, potentially a sandwich brought from outside Spain [3]. However, a separate investigation revealed that a laboratory in Catalonia was experimenting with the African swine fever virus around the time the first infected boars were discovered [1]. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture posited the theory of a lab leak on December 5, 2025.

African Swine Fever poses a significant economic risk to Spain, one of the world’s largest pork exporters. There is currently no effective vaccine available, and veterinarians warn that one is not expected in the near future [1]. The virus is harmless to humans but highly contagious among pigs and wild boar.

Recent Detection History

The current outbreak represents the first detection of African Swine Fever in Spain since November 1994 [4]. The veterinary services of the Catalan Regional Government initially notified the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food of the detection of two infected wild boars found dead in Bellaterra (Barcelona) on November 26, 2025 [4].