Catalonia has imposed strict restrictions on access to natural areas after African swine fever was detected near Barcelona. Regional authorities have asked residents to refrain from traveling to the Collserola mountain range to prevent further spread of the dangerous virus among wild and domestic animals.
The outbreak was identified after six wild boars died in an area adjacent to the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the municipality of Cerdanyola del Vallès. This is the first such case in Spain in the past thirty years, prompting an immediate response from regional authorities.
Restrictions and safety measures in the outbreak zone
A six-kilometer sanitary perimeter has been set up around the spot where the infected animals were found, and only local residents are allowed entry. A second zone, covering a twenty-kilometer radius, has been placed under a ban on all organized outdoor activities—from hiking to cycling tours.
Seventy-six municipalities are affected by the restrictions, including parts of Barcelona and the entire Collserola range. To enforce the new rules on weekends, the regional rural police, local law enforcement, and civil protection representatives have been deployed. Their task is to inform the public and prevent unauthorized access to the closed areas.
Response of local authorities and coordination of efforts
After confirmation of an African swine fever outbreak, the Catalan government held an emergency meeting with the mayors of affected municipalities, the leadership of the Barcelona province, and the Collserola Park administration. The meeting focused on the details of the restrictions imposed and coordinated joint actions to control the situation.
Particular attention is being given to informing the public: mobile stations have been set up in Collserola Park to explain the reasons for the restrictions to visitors and urge them to exercise maximum caution. According to civil protection officials, most residents have accepted the new rules with understanding and have refrained from entering closed zones.
Life under restrictions and next steps
Despite the measures introduced, some facilities located in the Collserola area continue to operate as usual. For example, Tibidabo amusement park has opened its doors to visitors, but access is regulated under new sanitation requirements.
In Sant Just Desvern, civil protection officers report that public information campaigns are proceeding calmly, and almost no attempts have been made to violate the entry ban into Collserola. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to follow official recommendations in order to minimize risks to animals and the region’s agriculture.
