A sign informing visitors to stay on the path due to ASF in northern Spain. Photo: Vincent ter Beek
In order to get a better grip on African Swine Fever (ASF), the authorities in Spain have expanded the inner infected zone (infected zone II).
That was needed because mid-April, a new case of ASF was found in Castellbisbal, which was located in a different municipality than all other cases. The infected zone now measures, in total 36 km east to west and 43 km north to south.
Meaning that the outer zone infected zone (infected zone I) had to be expanded with a few municipalities.
Over the last week, the number of outbreaks amongst the wild boar population in Spain further increased to 297 in 12 municipalities. Authorities confirmed 13 new cases. Apart from the infected animals, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) have now analysed the carcasses of 4,181 non-infected animals, of which 3,326 got shot or caught and 855 were existing carcasses.
ASF and the Tour de France
Interestingly, the ASF outbreak is likely also going to affect this summer’s top cycling event Tour de France. This year’s edition of the cycling event through France kicks off with 3 stages in the north of Spain. For July 5, a stage is planned that goes from Tarragona to Barcelona, with a stretch of a few kilometres through the Collserola Natural Park, which is currently infected with ASF. According to the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia, the authorities have asked the cycling match’ organisation to change the route, so that the cyclists will not enter the infected area.
The government would be proposing that “out of responsibility and rigor in the management of the outbreak that has affected Catalonia since 2025.”
The stretch is about 40 km before the finish line. According to the newspaper, simply forbidding the audience to come and see the cyclists during that stretch wouldn’t be an option. Last year, something similar happened when a planned stage in the Tour de France was altered because of the presence of Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle.
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