State of emergency declared in Spain over African swine fever

Spain has declared a state of emergency due to an outbreak of African swine fever, a disease affecting wild boars. At least 13 boars near Barcelona tested positive. The highly contagious virus poses no threat to humans but has no vaccine or cure. Efforts are underway to contain the outbreak within a 6km contamination zone.

Restrictions have been placed on 12 municipalities, with additional controls in a larger area. People in "high-risk areas" are prohibited from visiting to parks, woodlands or fields for leisure purposes.

Catalonia's regional government, later last week, said it will launch an investigation into a research center after Spain's Agriculture Ministry suggested a wild boar swine fever outbreak may be linked to a lab leak. In total, 13 wild boars tested positive near Barcelona. The virus, which is harmless to humans, can be fatal for pigs. The ministry found the strain similar to one from Georgia in 2007, raising containment concerns.

The government has deployed military support and approved a €10 million aid package. Farmers fear significant economic impact, as Spain is a major pork producer, with over 30,000 pigs potentially needing culling.