Spain deploys military to combat swine fever outbreak, suspects contaminated sandwich as potential cause

BELLATERRA, Spain, Dec 1 (Reuters) Spanish authorities have mobilized the military to manage an outbreak of African swine fever near Barcelona, which is suspected to have originated from a wild boar consuming contaminated food, such as discarded sandwiches. The incident has triggered disruptions in Spain's multibillion-euro pork export sector.

Officials confirmed on Friday that two wild boars discovered dead in Collserola Park, located 21 km (13 miles) from Barcelona, tested positive for African swine fever. In response, a 6-km exclusion zone has been established around the Bellaterra area. Additional suspected cases are under investigation, and further positive results are expected.

"The most plausible scenario is that cold cuts or sandwiches ended up in a trash bin. Considering Bellaterra sees heavy traffic from across Europe, a wild boar may have consumed contaminated food and become infected," Catalonia's Agriculture Minister Oscar Ordeig explained to Catalunya Radio on Monday.

Although African swine fever does not affect humans, it spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boars, posing a major economic threat to Spain, one of the world's leading pork exporters. The outbreak zone is situated near the AP-7 highway, a key route connecting Spain and France. Ordeig noted that the virus's absence in other parts of Catalonia and France indicates it may have been introduced through human transport of infected food.

Containment measures escalated on Sunday, deploying 300 Catalan police officers and rural agents, followed by 117 members of Spain's military emergency unit (UME) on Monday. Agriculture Minister Luis Planas reported on Saturday that roughly one-third of the countrys pork export certifications have been suspended due to the outbreak, although no farms have been directly affected yet. Pork farms within a 20-km radius of the initial infection point are subject to operational and sales restrictions.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Aislinn Laing)

Analysis: African Swine Fever Outbreak and Its Impact on Spain's Pork Export Industry

The recent outbreak of African swine fever near Barcelona has raised significant concerns within Spain's multibillion-euro pork export sector. While the virus does not pose a direct threat to humans, its rapid spread among pigs and wild boars presents a severe economic risk, especially considering Spain’s position as one of the world’s largest pork exporters. The discovery of infected wild boars in Collserola Park, just 21 km from Barcelona, has already led to a containment zone being established and disruptions to the industry.

The authorities' response, which includes the mobilization of the military and police forces, underscores the gravity of the situation. The suspected cause, a wild boar consuming discarded contaminated food such as sandwiches, highlights the vulnerability of wild animal populations to human waste and its potential to fuel the spread of such diseases. While the initial outbreak has not yet impacted commercial pork farms directly, the suspension of a third of Spain's pork export certifications reveals the broader consequences that the outbreak may have on trade.

In the context of this outbreak, it is crucial to monitor the ongoing investigation and the potential for further cases. The fact that other regions of Catalonia and France remain unaffected suggests that swift containment measures, including the deployment of military and police units, may help to prevent the virus from spreading further. However, as Spain continues to be a critical player in the global pork market, the long-term economic impact of the outbreak, particularly on export revenues, will depend heavily on the speed and effectiveness of the containment efforts.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be essential to assess the full scope of the outbreak and its repercussions on Spain’s agricultural sector.

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• Spain mobilises military against swine fever, says contaminated sandwich could be cause