Minister Confirms: Human Factors Likely Behind African Swine Fever Outbreak in Barcelona

On Thursday, Òscar Ordeig, the Minister of Climate Action Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat, addressed concerns regarding the recent detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Collserola area of Barcelona. In an interview with La 2 Cat, reported by Europa Press, Ordeig revealed that the majority of the 50 wild boars found dead in the region tested negative for the disease, suggesting that the outbreak did not stem from wild boar contagion. Ordeig expressed confidence that ASF was introduced into the area through human activity, potentially via the AP7 motorway or other communication routes. "We will know in the coming days; it did not enter through wild boar contagion but rather is attributed to human factors," he stated. The minister also highlighted that a potential outbreak of ASF had been a concern for Spain, particularly due to its endemic nature in Eastern European countries, where the disease has spread uncontrollably. His statement underscored the importance of monitoring and addressing the risks posed by human-related actions in the movement of livestock, which can lead to the transmission of serious diseases such as ASF. A veterinarian recently explained the 'sandwich theory' which supports the notion that human involvement may have been instrumental in the outbreak's onset. As the situation develops, experts and authorities will continue to investigate the origins and means of controlling the spread of ASF to safeguard local livestock health and the agricultural economy. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2