African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable disease caused by a virus of the Asfaviridae family and affects animals of the Suidae family. It can cause extremely high mortality, in some cases close to 100%. There is currently no cure and no effective commercial vaccine, so prevention relies heavily on biosecurity, surveillance, and rapid response measures. In this article, our National Technical Lead for Imports, Patricia Gonzalez, shares her thoughts on the importance of biosecurity in preventing the spread of ASF.
African swine fever is one of the most serious animal diseases affecting pigs and wild boar worldwide. As veterinarians, we are very aware of the challenges this disease presents.
ASF does not affect humans and does not represent a food safety risk. However, its impact on pig populations and the pig industry is devastating. One of the main difficulties in controlling ASF is the resistance of the virus. It can survive for long periods in pork products, contaminated equipment (fomites), and the environment. This means the disease can spread easily if biosecurity standards are not strictly applied. The movement of contaminated pork products, including products carried by travellers, is a recognised route of long-distance spread, highlighting the importance of border controls and awareness.
Global and European context
Since the major epidemic in East Asia in 2018, African swine fever has become endemic in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. According to reports submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), hundreds of outbreaks have been recorded in recent years, with cumulative losses reaching millions of animals between 2022 and 2025.
In Europe, the epidemiological situation remains complex. In recent years, there has been a reduction in the number of outbreaks in domestic pig holdings in several countries. This likely reflects improvements in farm-level biosecurity, increased awareness, and effective surveillance and control strategies. However, ASF continues to circulate widely in wild boar populations. These populations act as a reservoir for the virus and make eradication extremely difficult. Countries such as Germany, Poland, Romania, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Greece continue to report cases, mainly in wild boar, requiring sustained monitoring and management.
Recent detection in Spain
In late November 2025, African swine fever was detected in wild boar found dead in the province of Barcelona. These cases marked the first confirmed detection of ASF in Spain since 1994. Importantly, the virus was detected only in wild boar, and no domestic pigs were affected at the time. Spanish veterinary authorities responded rapidly by activating contingency plans, establishing infected and surveillance zones, and increasing surveillance and movement controls.
Although the situation appears to be under control, the detection has understandably raised concern within the sector.
Economic importance and ongoing vigilance
Catalonia is Spain’s leading pork-producing region, accounting for approximately 40% of national pig production. Spain is the largest pork producer in the European Union and one of the world’s main exporters of pork and pork products. For this reason, even limited detections of ASF can have significant economic and trade implications, including increased controls and concern from trading partners.
As with any first detection of a notifiable disease, investigations into the origin of the outbreak are ongoing, and no definitive source has been confirmed. This situation reinforces the importance of strict biosecurity, effective wild boar surveillance, and early detection. Until an effective vaccine becomes available, prevention remains our most important tool to protect pig populations and ensure the long-term sustainability of the pork industry.
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